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Republican Congresswoman Moves to Expel Swalwell Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced Saturday that she will file a motion to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from Congress following serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct from multiple former staffers.
“I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress,” Luna wrote on social media Saturday morning, escalating the political fallout from accusations that have already derailed Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign.
At least four female former staffers have come forward with allegations against the congressman. One of the most serious claims comes from a woman who told the San Francisco Chronicle that when she was 17 and Swalwell was 38, he began messaging her on Snapchat, allegedly sending inappropriate pictures and requesting naked photos of her.
The same woman also claimed that in 2024, she woke up alone in Swalwell’s hotel room after a night she could not remember, with “vaginal bleeding,” according to the Chronicle’s report. Swalwell, who is married with children, has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “false and outrageous.” His legal team has reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser.
The allegations have created a political crisis for Swalwell, who until recently was leading all other registered Democrats in California’s gubernatorial race. Prior to the scandal breaking, he trailed only Republican Steve Hilton in polling averages compiled by Real Clear Politics.
High-profile Democrats have quickly distanced themselves from Swalwell. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have all called for Swalwell to withdraw from the governor’s race. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), whom Swalwell has previously referred to as a “dear friend,” initially defended him before reversing course and joining calls for Swalwell to step down.
Luna has criticized Democrats for only asking Swalwell to exit the gubernatorial race while allowing him to maintain his congressional seat. “So the Dems don’t want Swalwell to be governor of California, but he can stay a member of Congress? Are we running a halfway house for sexual predators in Congress now? No. He should not be allowed to stay in Congress,” Luna posted on social media.
During an appearance on “Saturday in America with Kayleigh McEnany,” Luna elaborated on her position, saying, “It is unacceptable for him to just index his campaign for governor in California but still sit in the House of Representatives.”
For Luna’s expulsion motion to succeed, it would require a two-thirds majority vote in the House, a significant threshold that would require substantial bipartisan support. The move represents a rare attempt to remove a sitting member of Congress and highlights the severity of the allegations against Swalwell.
This controversy follows previous scrutiny of Swalwell regarding his ties to foreign entities. Reports have questioned his multiple Qatar-sponsored trips to Doha, with critics labeling him a “useful puppet” for foreign interests.
The scandal comes at a particularly sensitive time for Congress, where ethical standards and accountability for sexual misconduct have been under intense scrutiny in recent years. Luna has framed her expulsion effort as part of a needed “hard reset” on ethics in Washington, suggesting the Swalwell case represents a test of whether Congress will hold its members to appropriate standards of conduct.
As the situation develops, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers will face pressure to take clear positions on Swalwell’s future in Congress, potentially creating new political fault lines ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
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12 Comments
Removing an elected official is a serious matter. I hope the House handles this with the gravity it deserves, regardless of political affiliation.
Removing a sitting congressman over unproven allegations sets a dangerous precedent. Due process must be followed, and all evidence carefully examined before any action is taken.
I agree, we should let the facts come to light before rushing to judgment. These are troubling claims, but the right thing is to follow the proper procedures.
This is a serious allegation that deserves a thorough investigation. We need to get to the bottom of these claims and ensure accountability if they are found to be true.
This is a complex situation that requires a careful, impartial review. I hope the House can find the truth and make a fair decision based on the evidence.
Allegations of sexual misconduct are always concerning, but I hope this is not being politicized. The integrity of our democratic institutions must be preserved.
Ultimately, the facts should guide any decision on Swalwell’s future. I’m interested to see how this plays out in the coming weeks.
Concerning allegations, but I agree we need to let the investigation run its course before jumping to conclusions. Transparency and due process are crucial here.
These allegations, if true, are deeply troubling. However, the process must be fair and allow for due process. I hope the truth comes to light.
Expelling a member of Congress is a serious matter. I trust the House will conduct a fair and impartial review of the evidence before deciding on any action.
Swalwell should cooperate fully with any investigation to clear his name if the allegations are false. Rushing to judgment helps no one.
This is a complex issue that needs to be handled delicately. I hope the House can investigate thoroughly and come to a fair conclusion, regardless of party affiliation.