Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is facing mounting political and legal pressure as a video has surfaced showing him forcibly kissing an alleged sex worker and multiple allegations of sexual misconduct trigger a criminal investigation and threaten to derail his campaign for governor of California.
The new video circulating on social media, first posted Saturday by Martin Shkreli, shows Swalwell in an intimate setting with a woman identified by a source as a sex worker. The footage, which the source claims was taken inside Swalwell’s home, shows the two kissing on a bed. The authenticity of the video and the identity of the woman have not been independently verified, and Swalwell has not commented on the video.
I heard about these videos a few months ago. And I know they’ve been confirmed as authentic… https://t.co/yMTVuJoZMY
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) April 11, 2026
The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has opened an inquiry into accusations that include an alleged sexual assault in New York City in 2024. In a statement first obtained by NBC New York, prosecutors urged “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations” to come forward, directing them to the office’s Special Victims Division and emphasizing a “trauma-informed, survivor-centered” approach.
A former staffer first came forward Friday with an allegation of sexual assault stemming from a 2024 incident in New York City, as first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Within hours, three additional women publicly accused him of a range of misconduct, including unwanted advances and the alleged sending of unsolicited explicit images, dramatically expanding the scope of the controversy.
Swalwell has denied all allegations.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false,” Swalwell said in a video posted Friday. “They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.”
His attorney, Elias Dabaie, described the accusations as a “coordinated effort to undermine his candidacy,” adding, “We believe those allegations are baseless and continue to seek the truth.”
But the political fallout has been swift and severe.
Once seen as a serious contender to replace Gavin Newsom, Swalwell’s campaign has been thrown into turmoil. Senior staffers have resigned, key endorsements have been withdrawn, and prominent Democratic allies have begun publicly distancing themselves. Within days of the reports surfacing, the endorsements page on Swalwell’s website was taken down after major backers, including organizations and elected officials, pulled their support. Labor unions and political groups have also distanced themselves.
Top House Democrats, including Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) issued a joint statement calling for Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid, but notably stopped short of demanding he resign from Congress.
“Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor,” the three leaders said. “This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously.”
They added: “We commend the courageous women for sharing their experiences. In this and all circumstances, we must ensure that those who come forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment are heard and respected. All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable.”
Former Representative and fellow Democratic candidate for California Governor Katie Porter on Friday took to Bluesky, saying, “In light of the allegations of sexual assault, Eric Swalwell should resign from Congress and end his campaign for public office. But those decisions do not absolve him of taking responsibility for his misconduct, especially when he has attempted to silence and retaliate against these victims” No current Democratic congressman has called for Swalwell’s resignation.
On the Republican side, however, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) posted on Saturday that she plans to introduce a motion to expel Swalwell from the House.
“There’s a fork firmly implanted in him,” California Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio told The New York Times. “It’s over.”
Swalwell, 45, has represented a Bay Area district since 2012 and built a national profile through frequent cable news appearances and a short-lived presidential campaign in 2019. His gubernatorial bid had been gaining traction in a crowded primary field ahead of the June 2 election. Now, with ballots set to go out within weeks, the race has been upended.
In the video addressing the allegations, Swalwell acknowledged personal shortcomings, but maintained his innocence. “I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint,” he said. “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife.” He also apologized directly to his family. “To her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position,” he said.
This is far from the first time Swalwell has found himself in hot water. The congressman was previously linked to a suspected Chinese spy named Fang Fang, who fundraised for his re-election campaign in 2014 and allegedly placed an intern in his orbit.
Despite his defiance, the combination of a criminal investigation, multiple accusers, and political support vanishing in a matter of hours has left Swalwell’s campaign and career almost certainly collapsed, with increasing calls for him to step aside from the governor’s race and for now, slowly, from Congress as well.
