Representative Eric Swalwell Announces Resignation Amid Ethics Committee Investigation

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced his resignation from the House of Representatives on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The seven-term congressman confirmed his departure following the launch of a formal investigation by the House Ethics Committee into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Swalwell addressed the situation in a statement, maintaining that while the allegations against him are serious, they are fundamentally false.

He stated that his decision to step down was motivated by a desire to ensure his constituents in California’s 14th district remained well-served without the burden of an ongoing scandal.

The congressman noted that it would be wrong for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties while the investigation proceeded.

The announcement follows a turbulent weekend for the lawmaker, who suspended his campaign for governor of California on Sunday.

The House Ethics Committee probe centers on claims that Swalwell engaged in inappropriate conduct with a subordinate staffer.

Reports regarding the alleged misconduct first surfaced in the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday, prompting a swift response from leadership on both sides of the aisle.

The resignation comes at a time of high tension in the lower chamber as legislators navigate the current policy agenda of President Donald Trump.

President Trump remains the sitting chief executive, and the White House has reportedly been monitoring the situation on Capitol Hill throughout the morning.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has not yet issued a formal comment on the resignation, though several Republican members had previously called for an expulsion vote.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had called for a swift investigation into the matter prior to the resignation being made public.

Under standard House rules, a resignation typically brings an immediate halt to an ongoing ethics investigation, as the committee loses jurisdiction over former members.

This move effectively ends the legislative probe without the requirement of a final public report or disciplinary vote.

A special election will be required to fill the vacancy in the East Bay seat, though state officials have not yet announced a specific timeline.

This is a developing story as the transition process begins for California’s representation in the nation's capital.