Manhattan DA Opens Criminal Investigation Into Eric Swalwell Following Sexual Assault Allegations

The Manhattan District Attorney's office has opened a criminal investigation into Representative Eric Swalwell of California following sexual assault allegations that have rocked his gubernatorial campaign and triggered calls for his expulsion from Congress. The investigation centers on claims that Swalwell assaulted a woman in New York City in 2024, according to sources familiar with the matter. The probe represents a significant escalation in the legal and political troubles facing the Democratic congressman.

Swalwell, who announced his candidacy for California governor earlier this year, has become the target of mounting pressure from both parties in Congress. Republican lawmakers have initiated efforts to expel him from the House of Representatives, with a vote potentially coming within days. The sexual assault allegations have fundamentally altered the political landscape for Swalwell, who previously served on the House Intelligence Committee and gained national prominence during the Trump impeachment proceedings.

The timing of the Manhattan DA's investigation could not be worse for Swalwell's political ambitions. His gubernatorial campaign, which had been gaining momentum in early polling, now faces serious questions about viability as the criminal investigation proceeds. Democratic Party leaders in California have remained notably silent about the allegations, with many adopting a wait-and-see approach as the legal process unfolds.

Congress appears poised for a rare expulsion vote, which would require a two-thirds majority in the House. Such votes are extremely uncommon, with only five members expelled in the chamber's history—three for disloyalty during the Civil War and two following criminal convictions. The push to remove Swalwell could potentially trigger a chain reaction of similar votes targeting members of both parties, according to congressional sources.

The investigation by Manhattan prosecutors is still in its early stages, with officials declining to provide details about the specific allegations or timeline for potential charges. Swalwell's legal team has not responded to requests for comment about the criminal probe. The case highlights the intersection of state criminal law and federal political office, as prosecutors in New York pursue allegations against a sitting member of Congress who is simultaneously seeking higher office in California.