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Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., formally resigned his House seat on Tuesday amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations that spurred calls to step aside or face expulsion.
Swalwell’s swift fall from grace, and subsequent likely end of his political career, was made official in a letter from the embattled lawmaker read aloud on the House floor. Swalwell apologized to his family and constituents before again pushing back against the allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault levied against him.
“I will fight the serious false allegations made against me,” Swalwell wrote. “However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
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The announcement came after Swalwell said Monday that he planned to resign but did not lay out a clear timeline. The now-former lawmaker’s time in Congress officially came to an end at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
His letter and resignation also came ahead of pushes to expel him and others, including Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, Cory Mills, R-Fla., and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., from the House for a variety of scandals.
“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process within days of an allegation being made is wrong,” Swalwell wrote. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.”
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Swalwell’s resignation appeared to thwart a potential expulsion threat from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who vowed to force a vote on a measure forcibly removing him if he did not voluntarily exit Congress.
“I have just been notified that Eric Swalwell has officially submitted his resignation to the House Clerk,” Lune wrote on X. “Effective immediately.”
Five women, including one former staffer, have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct or rape. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has opened a criminal investigation into one incident that allegedly occurred in a New York City hotel room.
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FBI Director Kash Patel has also invited Swalwell to have a conversation with the bureau about the allegations.
Swalwell has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has promised to fight “false” accusations against him.
“These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service,” Sara Azari, Swalwell’s attorney, wrote on social media Tuesday. “The timing, nature and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves.
“This is neither about justice, nor the truth. This is a ruthless and shameless attempt to smear Congressman Swalwell,” Azari added.
He suspended his surging gubernatorial campaign over the weekend after nearly every prominent Democrat who had endorsed him retracted their support.
Meanwhile, Swalwell’s resignation letter was read in the House right after Gonzales’, whose time in the lower chamber won’t officially come to an end until just before the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.
Gonzales, who is married and has six children, admitted to having an affair with his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by setting herself on fire. But he has not acknowledged a second accusation of sexual misconduct with a former aide reported by The San Antonio-Express News.
“It has been my privilege to serve the residents of Texas’s 23rd congressional district,” Gonzales wrote.
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