A letter signed by greater than 50 former staffers of Rep. Eric Swalwell described recent allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in opposition to him as “serious” and “credible,” whereas demanding he resign from Congress and drop his bid for California governor.
“The allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and NCS are serious, credible, and demand accountability,” the letter stated. “We stand unequivocally with our colleague, who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward to share her truth. We believe her.”
It comes two days after each NCS and the Chronicle reported {that a} former staffer accused the California Democrat of sexual assault, describing an evening of consuming that ended with Swalwell having intercourse along with her when she couldn’t consent. In addition, three different ladies who spoke with NCS alleged different sexual misconduct by Swalwell, together with sending unsolicited nude photographs and graphic messages.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated Saturday it’s investigating an allegation of sexual assault in opposition to Swalwell. It inspired survivors and people with data of allegations to contact its Special Victims Division.
The reporting has upended Swalwell’s campaign for governor, prompting a number of outstanding Democrats who had endorsed him to retract their assist. Some Democrats have demanded Swalwell resign from Congress earlier than the top of his time period.
Swalwell additionally faces the opportunity of being expelled from Congress as the House convenes this week following a trip for Easter and Passover. A vote to expel the congressman would require a two-thirds majority to succeed.
Swalwell denied the allegations of sexual assault each in an announcement to NCS and in a video posted on social media Friday night, although in the video he acknowledged he’d “certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past.” Swalwell has not publicly addressed the standing of his gubernatorial marketing campaign since Friday.
In calling for Swalwell to finish his marketing campaign and resign, his former staffers wrote: “Remaining in either role while these allegations hang unresolved is an insult to every person who has ever worked for him, reported to him, or placed their trust in him,” the letter stated.
Current Swalwell staffers individually launched an unsigned letter on Saturday calling the allegations in opposition to Swalwell “abhorrent,” whereas asking for understanding towards staffers who didn’t instantly resign from their jobs.
“Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell,” the Saturday letter stated. “We recognize that not everyone — in particular our junior staff — can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence.”
NCS has reached out to Swalwell’s lawyer on the newest letter from staffers.
Democrats name for Swalwell to finish marketing campaign, with some demanding he depart Congress
Multiple Democrats on Sunday referred to as on Swalwell to depart Congress. Yet House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who urged Swalwell to finish his candidacy for governor, declined to say whether or not he ought to now resign his congressional seat, as his occasion hopes to retake the bulk in the House after this yr’s midterm elections.
“We’ll reconvene in Washington early next week and we’ll have more to say,” Jeffries advised reporters throughout a yard rally in Richmond on Sunday.
Several Democrats who don’t maintain occasion management positions had been unequivocal in demanding Swalwell’s resignation.
“We should not tolerate this behavior,” stated Virginia Rep. Eugene Vindman advised NCS on Sunday. “Representative Eric Swalwell needs to go.”
Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington referred to as on Swalwell to drop out of the California gubernatorial race, including that she would vote to expel each him and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who’s underneath investigation by the House Ethics Committee over sexual misconduct allegations.
“What we are seeing now is an emergence of women across the country who have been dismissed, told to shut up, told to move on, who have been abused my men in powerful positions,” Jayapal stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who can be of California, didn’t say whether or not he would vote to expel Swalwell however stated he ought to step apart.
“I have said that not only does he need to step aside, but there needs to be House Ethics investigations and law enforcement investigations. And I really stand with pride with the survivors, especially as someone who’s worked with (Kentucky GOP Rep.) Thomas Massie to lead the Epstein effort,” he stated on “Fox News Sunday.”
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida stated each Swalwell and Gonzales “need to go home,” including that he would vote “yes” on measures to expel each lawmakers.
“These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress. These things are just completely unacceptable. As far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home,” he stated.
NCS’s Jeff Zeleny, Aileen Graef, Dalia Abdelwahab and Julian Silva-Forbes contributed.