Eric Swalwell wants you to believe he's a martyr. He'd have you think that stepping down from Congress on Monday was an act of selfless public service — a man so devoted to his district that he simply couldn't bear to be a distraction. Don't buy it. When a politician wraps a humiliating exit in the language of sacrifice, you can bet the real story is something far less noble. So, what actually forced Swalwell out of his seat?
Let's back up. Just days ago, the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published explosive reports detailing sexual misconduct allegations from four women against the California congressman. The most serious charge came from a former staffer who told CNN that Swalwell raped her. Her story is corroborated, too.
She texted a friend shortly after, saying, "I was sexually assaulted on Thursday. By Eric." Medical records and multiple corroborating witnesses backed up her account. Three other women came forward with additional allegations, including claims that Swalwell sent unsolicited explicit messages and nude photographs.
There was no way his career could be salvaged.
On Sunday, he suspended his campaign, and by Monday afternoon, he’d announced his resignation from Congress.
"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," he said, adding, "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."
He added, “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. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress."
Real touching. Except that's not why he resigned.
He was indeed facing an expulsion vote. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced Saturday morning that she was filing a motion to expel Swalwell and pushing for a floor vote this week.
Since a motion to expel carries privileged status in the House, Luna could force an up-or-down vote without going through committee.
Every single member would have had to go on the record. There was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
"I hate having to be kind of the hall monitor of Congress, if you will, but it's gotten really bad," Luna said. "Eric has the option. I'm going to bring this vote next week. If Democrats want to protect this type of garbage — I wouldn't recommend it — but they're going to be put on the board for that."
ICYMI: Confirmed: Democrats Knew Swalwell Was a Creepy Predator
Democrats were already in a brutal spot. Several had called on Swalwell to drop out of the governor's race, but stopped well short of calling for his resignation from Congress. The reason was obvious: they didn't want to lose the House seat, and they desperately did not want to be forced to vote on his expulsion.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) embodied the party's paralysis perfectly when CNN's Dana Bash asked him directly on State of the Union on Sunday whether Swalwell should resign or face expulsion. While Warner said Swalwell should drop out, he hedged on whether he should resign. “I want to hear his side of the story," Warner said, adding that he didn't know all the facts. That was a dodge so transparent it was almost embarrassing.
CNN: “Do you think [Eric Swalwell] should resign from Congress or face expulsion.”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 12, 2026
WARNER: “I have seen the reports…if any of these reports are true he should at least no longer be a candidate for Governor. But again I don’t know any of the facts.” pic.twitter.com/wad12yyff1
Swalwell didn't resign for his constituents. He resigned to avoid a humiliating expulsion vote that would have forced every Democrat in the House to either defend the indefensible or throw one of their own overboard and upset the far left base — something they didn’t want to do. Now they don’t have to. Swalwell took one for the team.
