After dropping gubernatorial bid, Swalwell still faces calls to resign or face expulsion from US House

By Michael Williams, Allison Gordon, Annie Grayer, CNN

(CNN) — Even as Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped his campaign for California governor, the Democratic lawmaker still faces significant jeopardy.

A number of Democrats and Republicans in Congress have called for Swalwell’s resignation and have said they will force a vote to expel him if he does not resign this week. A vote to expel the congressman would require a two-thirds majority to succeed.

Notably, some Democrats who are willing to expel Swalwell say Republicans will have to also support the expulsion of GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who recently admitted to having an affair with a staffer, which runs afoul of US House rules. Gonzales ended his reelection bid but said he would finish his term.

That will leave both parties’ leadership in the House with difficult roads to navigate this week as lawmakers return from their Easter and Passover recess. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who had urged Swalwell to end his candidacy for governor, declined to say earlier Sunday whether Swalwell should resign from Congress.

“We’ll reconvene in Washington early next week and we’ll have more to say,” Jeffries told reporters during a backyard rally in Richmond, Virgnia.

Swalwell’s move Sunday night to drop his gubernatorial campaign came after two days of mounting pressure. Both CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer accused the California Democrat of sexual assault, describing a night of drinking that ended with Swalwell having sex with her when she could not consent. In addition, three other women who spoke with CNN alleged other sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including sending unsolicited nude photos and graphic messages.

“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he posted Sunday on X in his announcement suspending his campaign. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

Swalwell has strongly and repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault. In a video he posted Friday night hours after CNN and the Chronicle published their reports, he acknowledged having made “mistakes in judgment.”

“I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint,” he said. “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”

A letter released Sunday and signed by more than 50 former Swalwell staffers described recent allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against him as “serious” and “credible,” while demanding he resign from Congress and drop his bid for California governor.

“The allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN are serious, credible, and demand accountability,” the letter said. “We stand unequivocally with our colleague, who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward to share her truth. We believe her.”

CNN has reached out to Swalwell’s lawyer and to a spokesperson on the latest letter from staffers.

Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Saturday it is investigating an allegation of sexual assault against Swalwell. It encouraged survivors and those with knowledge of allegations to contact its Special Victims Division.

Some Democrats demand Swalwell leave Congress

Several Democrats who do not hold party leadership positions were unequivocal in demanding Swalwell’s resignation.

“We should not tolerate this behavior,” said Virginia Rep. Eugene Vindman told CNN on Sunday. “Rep. Eric Swalwell needs to go.”

Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington called on Swalwell to drop out of the California gubernatorial race, adding that she would vote to expel both him and Gonzales, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

“What we are seeing now is an emergence of women across the country who have been dismissed, told to shut up, told to move on, who have been abused my men in powerful positions,” Jayapal said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California did not say whether he would vote to expel Swalwell but said he should step aside.

“I have said that not only does he need to step aside, but there needs to be House ethics investigations and law enforcement investigations. And I really stand with pride with the survivors, especially as someone who’s worked with [Kentucky GOP Rep.] Thomas Massie to lead the Epstein effort,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida said both Swalwell and Gonzales “need to go home,” adding that he would vote “yes” on measures to expel both lawmakers.

“These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress. These things are just completely unacceptable,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home.”

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

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CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Aileen Graef, Dalia Abdelwahab and Julian Silva-Forbes contributed to this report.