Department of Justice investigating Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations
April 16, 2026
Democratic representative from California has suspended gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell following his resignation from Congress, according to a source familiar with the matter. The news of a federal investigation comes days after the Democratic representative from California stepped down due to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Continue reading...
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into former Representative Eric Swalwell of California following a series of sexual assault allegations that emerged earlier this month. This federal inquiry follows Swalwell's recent resignation from Congress and the abrupt end of his campaign for California governor. The Justice Department has not offered public comment on the matter, which is standard procedure for pending investigations, but sources familiar with the inquiry confirmed its initiation on Thursday. This development elevates the gravity of the accusations that have already concluded a once-promising political career.
Eric Swalwell, who had served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, was a prominent Democratic figure known for his role as an impeachment manager during the second impeachment of Donald Trump and his membership on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees. The Iowa native and former Alameda County prosecutor first gained national attention with a brief run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Until the allegations surfaced, he was considered a leading candidate in the 2026 race to become governor of California, having announced his campaign in late 2025.
The scandal unfolded rapidly in early April 2026 after news outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported on claims from multiple women. One former staffer alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her in a New York hotel room in 2024 when she was too intoxicated to consent. Another woman, Lonna Drewes, publicly accused Swalwell of drugging, choking, and raping her at a hotel in 2018. In the wake of these and other claims, Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign on April 12 and officially resigned from his House seat two days later amid bipartisan calls for his removal.
Swalwell has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as "flat false" and part of a politically motivated attack. Prior to the Justice Department's involvement, the House Ethics Committee had already announced its own probe into the matter, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department opened an investigation after Drewes made her public statement. The political fallout has been swift, with former congressional and campaign staffers signing a public letter urging him to resign.
The Department of Justice investigation marks a significant escalation. Federal investigators have broad powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas for documents and compel testimony before a grand jury. The process can be lengthy and may conclude in several ways: charges could be filed, leading to a potential criminal trial; a settlement could be reached; or the investigation could be closed with no action taken. For now, the legal and political future of the former congressman rests with the outcome of this federal inquiry.
Source: theguardian