House Minority Leader Declines to Discuss Swalwell Resignation Amid Misconduct Allegations

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is declining to comment on whether he played any role in prompting Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to resign from Congress as the California lawmaker faces mounting allegations of sexual misconduct. Jeffries avoided giving a direct answer when asked if he had pressured Swalwell to step down, stating that 'Member conversations that I've had will remain private.'

Why it matters

Jeffries' refusal to discuss the matter has fueled questions about how Democratic leadership handled the allegations against Swalwell behind closed doors. Critics argue that party leaders should be more transparent about their response to serious accusations involving one of their members.

The details

Swalwell's political career unraveled following a detailed report by the San Francisco Chronicle, which published allegations from a former staffer accusing the congressman of sexual assault on multiple occasions. The accuser alleged that during a September 2019 encounter, Swalwell invited her out for drinks and that she became so intoxicated she does not remember what happened for the remainder of the evening. She said she later awoke naked in his hotel bed and believed sexual intercourse had occurred. In the days following the Chronicle's report, additional women have reportedly come forward with similar claims.

• In September 2019, the alleged incident with the former staffer occurred.
• In April 2024, the accuser attended a charity gala where Swalwell was being honored and met him for drinks afterward, where she alleged he forced himself on her.

What they’re saying