The New Investigation
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed Sunday it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations that Rep. Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer in a New York hotel after a charity gala in 2024. Prosecutors asked anyone with relevant information to contact their special victims division, noting their team is "well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner." The investigation follows reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle that detailed two alleged nonconsensual encounters between Swalwell and the woman.
What The Woman Says Happened
The former employee, who worked in Swalwell's Castro Valley district office, told the Chronicle he began pursuing her shortly after hiring her, sending inappropriate photos of himself via Snapchat and requesting nude photos of her. She alleged that after going out for drinks with Swalwell in September 2019, she woke up naked in his hotel bed with little recollection of the night. In 2024, when she no longer worked for him, she said she met him for drinks after a charity gala in New York, became intoxicated, and only remembers parts of the night, including allegedly pushing him away and telling him "no" while he forced himself on her. She said she woke up with vaginal bleeding and bruises, and text messages she sent to a friend three days later, reviewed by the Chronicle, stated she was "sexually assaulted" by Swalwell.
The Political Collapse
Swalwell lost all 21 of his congressional endorsements within 24 hours, with Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona becoming the final Democrat to withdraw support on Saturday. His ActBlue fundraising page and endorsement tab on his website have been pulled down, ad buys are being rescinded, at least one fundraiser has been scrapped, and he is reportedly hemorrhaging staff. House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and caucus chair Pete Aguilar, issued a joint statement calling for him to "immediately end his campaign."
Swalwell's Defense
Swalwell denied the allegations in a video posted Friday, stating: "These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen, they never happened." He suggested the timing was politically motivated, noting they emerged ahead of the June primary for California governor. His office staff issued a statement obtained by the Washington Post condemning the alleged behavior, writing: "We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward... The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office."
The Expulsion Threat
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida announced plans to force a vote to expel Swalwell from Congress, with a vote potentially coming as soon as midweek. The move could impact the makeup of the House heading into midterm elections, as Democrats face pressure to take action against one of their own members. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who hasn't endorsed any candidate in the governor's race, said she spoke to Swalwell and suggested investigation of the "serious allegations" should be done "outside of a gubernatorial campaign."
The sources also report that Swalwell threatened to take legal action against the woman making the allegations, according to the CBS News article.