House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was slammed Friday for calling on Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to end his California gubernatorial campaign — but not resign from Congress amid shocking sexual misconduct allegations.
“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,” read a statement issued by Jeffries and House Democratic leadership.
“This is unacceptable of anyone – certainly not an elected official – and must be taken seriously,” the statement continued – stopping short of demanding that Swalwell step down.
A former congressional staffer accused Swalwell, who had been the Democratic front-runner in the Golden State governor’s race, of sexually assaulting her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent.
CNN also reported that several other women alleged sexual misconduct ranging from unwanted touching to unsolicited nude pictures by Swalwell.
Jeffries’ statement was met with outrage on social media.
“What an unprincipled, meaningless statement,” former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer wrote on X. “If they thought Swalwell did wrong, they should call on him to resign.”
“If Democrats say [Swalwell] is too toxic to run for office, how is he not too toxic to currently occupy his office?” Mike Davis, the founder of judicial advocacy group Article III Project, wondered.
In a post directed at Jeffries, conservative podcaster Graham Allen fumed, “YOU ARE A COWARD.”
Brett Tolman, a former US attorney and the head of nonprofit group Right On Crime, described the Democratic leader’s statement as “downright comical.”
“Get out of the Governor race but you can stay in congress #SortaMeToo,” Tolman quipped.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) called on Swalwell to resign and argued Democrats should do the same.
“Idk in what parallel universe we are living in that elected members of congress begin to [choose] politics and party BS over basic human dignity,” Luna wrote on X. “I have called for Republican members to do the same when they are caught doing corrupt and morally bankrupt crap.
Meanwhile, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) announced that she would be introducing a privileged resolution on the House floor next to censure Swalwell.
“This behavior is disgusting and unbecoming of a Member of Congress.” Boebert raged. “It’s past time to answer for your actions you disgusting pervert.”
Swalwell, a married father of three children, has denied the allegations.“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” he said in a statement to CNN.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” the congressman added. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
“My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
He also issued a video statement denying the allegations Friday evening, while also apologizing to his wife Brittany Watts, saying he’s made “mistakes in judgment in my past.”
“But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position,” he said.
