The probe comes as a growing number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling on the California congressman to resign.
House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) announced on April 13 the committee has opened an investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) over allegations of sexual misconduct, including toward a former staffer.
The statement said the committee “has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations that Representative Eric Swalwell violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.”
The committee noted that the investigation alone does not indicate that any violation has occurred and and “no other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.”
The announcement came on Monday afternoon as the House gaveled back in after a recess and several Republican lawmakers and at least seven Democratic House members publicly called on Swalwell to resign or face expulsion from Congress.
A former staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her while she was intoxicated on two occasions—once in 2019 while she was employed by him and again after a charity gala in 2024—according to an April 10 report by the San Francisco Chronicle. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor on April 12 but has not indicated he will leave Congress.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened. I will fight them with everything I have,” Swalwell said in a video posted to social media on April 11.
More than 50 of Swalwell’s former staffers signed a letter urging him to resign from Congress, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said she would file a motion to expel him. Expelling a member of the House requires a two-thirds majority vote.
The Epoch Times did not receive an immediate response from Swalwell’s office seeking comment prior to publication.
By Chase Smith
