Rep. Eric Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress Monday amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct that prompted an investigation and mounting political pressure.
The allegations, which have not resulted in criminal charges publicly announced, led the Manhattan district attorney’s office to open an inquiry, according to reporting by major outlets. In recent days, lawmakers from both parties and other political leaders had publicly called for Swalwell to step down and to withdraw from his campaign for California governor.
Swalwell, a Democrat who has represented a California congressional district since winning election in 2012, had built a national profile through his work in Congress, including service on high-profile committees. He also ran for president in 2019–2020 and more recently launched a campaign for governor of California. That gubernatorial bid became a focal point of the calls for him to leave public life after the allegations surfaced.
Details of the allegations have been limited in public reporting. Prosecutors and investigators typically refrain from commenting on active inquiries; Swalwell has denied criminal wrongdoing in past statements responding to earlier reporting about unrelated controversies. In his resignation announcement, he did not provide full details about the allegations or the investigation’s status, and he said little about his next steps.
The resignation sets in motion the process to fill his House seat. State and federal rules require a special election to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives; timing for any special election will be set by California officials. Political operatives in both parties have already begun assessing the potential impact of the open seat on the balance of power and on local politics in his district.
Reactions have been swift. Fellow Democrats called for accountability and emphasized the importance of due process, while Republicans framed the resignation as validation of their calls for ethics and transparency. Advocacy groups focused on victims’ rights said Swalwell’s departure highlights the need for institutions to take allegations seriously and to support survivors.
The development marks a rapid fall for a member of Congress who once held a prominent role within his party. The district attorney’s inquiry and any subsequent actions by federal or state authorities will determine whether criminal charges are pursued. Separately, congressional and legislative ethics bodies may also review the matter as they assess whether any further congressional discipline is warranted.
As state officials set the timeline for a special election and investigators continue their work, Swalwell’s resignation closes one chapter of a contentious episode that has reverberated through Washington and California politics.
