Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress as he faces backlash over assault allegations

Politics Eric Swalwell will resign from Congress as he faces backlash over assault allegations April 13, 20265:49 PM ET Elena Moore Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on September 08, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is resigning from his seat in Congress as he faces growing backlash to allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. In a statement posted to social media Monday, Swalwell acknowledged growing calls among lawmakers to expel him from the House of Representatives. "Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress," Swalwell said. Swalwell's decision comes just one day after he announced he was suspending his campaign for governor of California. It marks a fall from political grace for the seven-term Democrat, who had widely been seen as a frontrunner in the gubernatorial race. Sponsor Message Swalwell, 45, has been embattled in controversy since Friday, after at least four women spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, detailing their experiences, which range from unwanted sexual advances by Swalwell to allegations of rape.  NPR has not independently verified the allegations against Swalwell, but he has adamantly denied them and vowed to fight back. "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," he said in a post announcing he would suspend his bid for governor. "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign's."  Democratic leaders moved to quickly condemned Swalwell after the allegations began to surface, with top campaign supporters renouncing their support — including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and former Ho...