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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.<\/span><\/p>\n The new video circulating on social media, first <\/span>posted<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n I heard about these videos a few months ago. And I know they\u2019ve been confirmed as authentic\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/yMTVuJoZMY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brent Scher (@BrentScher) April 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Manhattan District Attorney\u2019s 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 <\/span>NBC New York<\/span><\/a>, prosecutors urged \u201csurvivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations\u201d to come forward, directing them to the office\u2019s Special Victims Division and emphasizing a \u201ctrauma-informed, survivor-centered\u201d approach.<\/span><\/p>\n A former staffer first came forward <\/span>Friday<\/span><\/a> with an allegation of sexual assault stemming from a 2024 incident in New York City, as first reported by the <\/span>San Francisco Chronicle<\/span><\/a>. Within hours, <\/span>three additional women<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Swalwell has denied all allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThese allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false,\u201d Swalwell said in a <\/span>video posted Friday<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThey did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His attorney, Elias Dabaie, <\/span>described<\/span><\/a> the accusations as a \u201ccoordinated effort to undermine his candidacy,\u201d adding, \u201cWe believe those allegations are baseless and continue to seek the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n But the political fallout has been swift and severe.<\/span><\/p>\n Once seen as a serious contender to replace Gavin Newsom, Swalwell\u2019s campaign has been thrown into <\/span>turmoil<\/span><\/a>. 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\u2019s website was taken down after major backers, including organizations and elected officials, <\/span>pulled their support<\/span><\/a>. Labor unions and political groups have also distanced themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 <\/span>joint statement<\/span><\/a> calling for Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid, but notably stopped short of demanding he resign from Congress.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFollowing 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\u2019s next Governor,\u201d the three leaders said. \u201cThis is unacceptable of anyone \u2014 certainly not an elected official \u2014 and must be taken seriously.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n They added: \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Former Representative and fellow Democratic candidate for California Governor Katie Porter on Friday took to <\/span>Bluesky<\/span><\/a>, saying,\u00a0 \u201c<\/span>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\u201d No current Democratic congressman has called for Swalwell\u2019s resignation.<\/span><\/p>\n On the Republican side, however, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) <\/span>posted<\/span><\/a> on Saturday that she plans to introduce a motion to expel Swalwell from the House.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a fork firmly implanted in him,\u201d California Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio told<\/a> The <\/span>New York Times<\/span>. \u201cIt\u2019s over.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n In the video addressing the allegations, Swalwell acknowledged personal shortcomings, but maintained his innocence. \u201cI do not suggest to you in any way that I\u2019m perfect or that I\u2019m a saint,\u201d he said. \u201cI have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife.\u201d He also apologized directly to his family. \u201cTo her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n This is far from the first time Swalwell has found himself in hot water. The congressman was previously linked<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Despite his defiance, the combination of a criminal investigation, multiple accusers, and political support vanishing in a matter of hours has left Swalwell\u2019s campaign and career almost certainly collapsed, with increasing calls for him to step aside from the governor\u2019s race and for now, slowly, from Congress as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n