13. April 2026

House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Eric Swalwell

WASHINGTON-- The House Ethics Committee said Monday it has opened an investigation into whether Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., engaged in sexual misconduct involving a staff member, a development that intensifies scrutiny of the congressman as he faces mounting political pressure.

The panel emphasized that the decision to review the allegations — and to publicly disclose the inquiry — does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. Still, the move places Swalwell under a formal congressional investigation at a moment when his political standing has already been shaken.

The announcement came a day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor following the emergence of allegations he has forcefully denied. Once viewed as a competitive contender in a crowded field, his campaign quickly unraveled as reports surfaced accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions, including during a period when she worked under his supervision.

The allegations, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and later detailed by CNN, describe incidents in 2019 and 2024. The woman told the Chronicle she did not report the encounters to law enforcement out of fear she would not be believed. According to the newspaper, she said she was intoxicated during both encounters and unable to consent. The Chronicle reported it reviewed text messages related to the 2024 allegation and spoke with individuals the woman confided in at the time.

“I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” Swalwell said in a social media post announcing the suspension of his gubernatorial bid.

In Congress, calls for Swalwell to step down have come from both parties, with some lawmakers raising the possibility of expulsion. No vote has been scheduled, and the Ethics Committee’s probe could delay any immediate floor action as the panel conducts its review.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said over the weekend that she plans to introduce a resolution to expel Swalwell, a move that could trigger retaliatory efforts by Democrats targeting Republican lawmakers facing their own controversies.

Among them is Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who has acknowledged an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide. The situation has complicated the political dynamics surrounding any potential expulsion effort, with members in both parties signaling they are prepared to apply similar standards across the aisle.

Some Democrats have already begun to distance themselves from Swalwell. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said both Swalwell and Gonzales should resign, framing the issue as a test of Congress’ willingness to hold members accountable.

“I think that this is very important that we believe women, and that we show people across the Capitol and across the country that we will not accept this kind of behavior,” Jayapal said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Republicans have echoed calls for consequences. Appearing on the same program, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said he would support expelling both lawmakers if the issue comes to a vote.

“These things are just completely unacceptable,” Donalds said. “And as far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home.”

For now, the Ethics Committee’s investigation is expected to proceed behind closed doors, as lawmakers weigh both the seriousness of the allegations and the broader political ramifications for a narrowly divided House.