U.S politician, Eric Swalwell has announced he is stepping down from Congress, citing the need to avoid further distraction amid ongoing controversies.
In a statement shared on X, the California Democrat apologised for what he described as “mistakes in judgment,” addressing his family, staff and constituents. However, he maintained that a separate allegation against him is untrue and said he intends to challenge it.
Swalwell criticised what he called a rush to judgment in Washington, arguing that moving to expel lawmakers quickly without due process is wrong. His resignation follows the opening of a s3xual misconduct investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
He said the situation had become a distraction for the people he represents, explaining that stepping down was the best way to prevent further impact on his constituents. He added that he would work with his staff over the coming days to ensure a smooth transition.
The move came shortly after he suspended his campaign for California governor, amid mounting pressure from political allies including Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff.
The controversy stems from allegations made by a former staffer, who claimed an incident occurred after a night out, though Swalwell has denied the accusations. He is also facing separate claims involving alleged inappropriate messages and an investigation related to employment matters.
Despite stepping down, Swalwell said he would continue to defend himself against what he described as false allegations, while taking responsibility for his past actions.