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By Gabe Whisnant
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The White House on Wednesday called allegations involving former Representative Eric Swalwell “disgusting,” with press secretary Karoline Leavitt urging journalists to question Democratic leaders about what they knew and why they did not act sooner.
Leavitt was responding to a question from conservative influencer Jack Posobiec, who asked about Swalwell’s political future and his relationship with Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona.
“I wanted to know if the administration had any comment on the fact that Sen. Gallego seemed to be very vocal about wanting the release the Epstein Files, and yet when questions come to his own involvement with Eric Swalwell, he doesn’t seem to provide anything?” Posobiec asked from the "new media seat."
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Leavitt said, in full, "I think the accusations and allegations against former representative Swallwell are despicable and disgusting. I think it’s also quite plausible, as you point out, Jack, that there were many other Democrats in this town on Capitol Hill who knew about his perhaps illegal behavior — certainly his disgusting and inappropriate behavior. And why were they silent for so long?"
She continued, "I think those are questions that must be raised of the sitting representatives, including Mr. Gallego. And I hope that the journalists in this room will do their jobs and the journalists on Capitol Hill will do their jobs to ask Democrats in power how they knew about such despicable behavior from one of their elected representatives for so long, but never said or did anything about it."
Gallego, who had a well-documented amicable relationship, told reporters Tuesday that he and his team have “nothing to hide,” and that he had been “completely transparent and honest…about what I knew [and] when I knew it.” The Arizona senator withdrew his endorsement for Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid on Friday following the reports of sexual misconduct, and expressed regret for “having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information.”
However, Gallego said that releasing the communications would only lead to further speculation and carry forward the "lies" about his alleged knowledge of, or involvement in, Swalwell's past behavior.
Who Is Eric Swalwell?
Eric Swalwell is a Democrat who represented California in the U.S. House from 2013 until his resignation in April 2026. He previously served on the House Intelligence Committee and mounted a short‑lived bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
More recently, Swalwell was a leading Democratic contender in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race before suspending his campaign amid misconduct allegations. Pressure from colleagues quickly intensified, culminating in his decision to step down from Congress.
What Are the Allegations Against Eric Swalwell?
Five women, including a former congressional staffer, have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including allegations of sexual assault and rape. The claims were first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and later detailed by CNN and other outlets, with alleged incidents spanning several years.
Swalwell has denied all allegations of sexual assault, calling them false and politically motivated, while acknowledging unspecified “mistakes in judgment” in his past. His legal team has said he intends to contest the claims.
How Many Individuals Have Accused Swalwell of Sexual Misconduct?
As of April 15, at least five women have publicly accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, according to reporting by national media outlets. One accuser is a former staff member, while others have described separate alleged incidents.
Not all allegations have been independently verified, and no criminal convictions have been announced. Several investigations remain ongoing at the state and local levels.
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When Did Eric Swalwell Resign?
Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress on April 13, one day after suspending his campaign for California governor. His decision came amid a House Ethics Committee investigation and mounting bipartisan pressure for him to leave office.
His resignation took effect the following day, ending the congressional ethics inquiry, which by rule applies only to sitting members. Law enforcement investigations may continue independently.
What We Know About Eric Swalwell's Family
Swalwell is married to Brittany Watts, a hospitality executive, and the couple has three children. He has generally kept his family out of public political debates, though he has referenced them in statements and on social media.
Following the allegations, Swalwell publicly apologized to his wife and family for placing them under intense public scrutiny. Watts has not issued public statements addressing the accusations.
Updates: 4/15/26, 3:10 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 4/15/26, 6:11 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
Updates: 4/15/26, 7:10 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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