Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzales To Resign from the House Following Allegations of Sexual Assault, Harrassment

Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales, accused of sexual misconduct, say they are resigning from Congress following threats from colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expel them from the chamber. Mr. Swalwell denies that he sexually assaulted a former staffer, while Mr. Gonzales has admitted to having an affair with a subordinate. In just 72 hours, Mr. Swalwell went from a favorite to be the next governor of California to a disgraced soon-to-be former member of Congress. Shortly after the allegations of sexual assault and harassment were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, several colleagues began pulling their endorsements for his gubernatorial run, with some saying he should leave the race altogether. By Sunday morning, Democrats and Republicans began coalescing around a kind of compromise solution — Democrats would vote to expel Mr. Swalwell if Republicans vote to kick out Mr. Tony Gonzales. By Monday evening, it appears both Messrs. Swalwell and Gonzales could read the writing on the wall. “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Mr. Swalwell said in a statement, acknowledging the marital issues he has with his wife. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”“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,” he added. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”He implied his official resignation would come in just a few days as he works to ensure his staff can adequately handle constituent services and other issues for the residents of his district. Shortly after Mr. Swalwell announced his resignation, Mr. Gonzales announced on X that he would filing his “retirement” notice on Monday, presumably meaning that it will be his final day in Congress. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, a Democrat, had planned to introduce the two resolutions to expel both men this week. Even after Mr. Swalwell announced his own resignation, Ms. Leger Fernández and Ms. Luna said they were moving forward.“Every member who sexually harasses or abuses their staff needs to go. I’m not backing down. I’ll introduce a resolution to expel Rep. Gonzales to make sure he’s held accountable too,” Ms. Leger Fernández wrote on X shortly after Mr. Swalwell’s announcement. Ms. Luna, in a statement to Axios, confirmed she was supporting the Gonzales expulsion resolution, as well.

Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzales To Resign from the House Following Allegations of Sexual Assault, Harrassment

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