Members of Congress Call for Swalwell Resignation Amid Assault Allegations

At least 11 lawmakers demand California Democrat step down from House over 2019 incident

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:54am by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dimly lit, cinematic government office space with a lone desk and chair, the room bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight that casts deep shadows, conveying a sense of political tension and unease.The allegations against Congressman Swalwell have cast a somber shadow over the political landscape, raising difficult questions about accountability and the treatment of misconduct claims.San Francisco Today

At least 11 members of Congress have called on California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell to resign from the House after he was hit with allegations of sexual assault. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her in 2019, when she worked for him.

Why it matters

The allegations against Swalwell, a prominent Democratic lawmaker, come at a sensitive time as the party navigates issues of sexual misconduct and power dynamics in the workplace. The calls for his resignation reflect the growing pressure on elected officials to be held accountable for their actions, even years later.

The details

According to the report, the former staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her in 2019 when she worked for him. Swalwell has denied the allegations and said he will fight them, but has not directly addressed the calls for his resignation from fellow members of Congress.

  • The alleged incident occurred in 2019 when the staffer worked for Swalwell.
  • The allegations were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on April 13, 2026.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 15th congressional district.

San Francisco Chronicle

A major daily newspaper serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am suspending my campaign for governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made—but that's my fight, not a campaign's.”

— Eric Swalwell

The takeaway

The allegations against Swalwell underscore the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual misconduct in politics and the workplace, as well as the pressure on elected officials to be held accountable for their actions, even years later.