DOJ Opens Investigation as Swalwell Resigns Over Assault Claims
DOJ probe follows multiple sexual-assault allegations and local investigations; special election set for Aug. 18 to fill his House seat.
The GuardianDepartment of Justice investigating Eric Swalwell amid sexual assault allegations
The New YorkerEric Swalwell and the Modern-Media Reckoning
FOX NewsHouse lawmakers express disgust over Swalwell not being exposed sooner: 'It's shameful'
RedState'Always Been a Sleazebag': Trump Has Blunt New Take in First Comments on Swalwell Allegations
Overview
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter said.
Swalwell resigned from the House amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including a 2018 rape allegation by Lonna Drewes.
Swalwell's attorney Sara Azari said he 'categorically and unequivocally denies' the allegations, while lawmakers from both parties expressed disgust that the conduct was not exposed sooner.
The Los Angeles sheriff's office and the Los Angeles district attorney's sex crimes division are investigating the 2018 allegations, and the Manhattan district attorney's office said it was investigating a sexual assault allegation.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special election to fill the vacancy on Aug. 18, and lawmakers had been preparing a bipartisan effort to expel Swalwell prior to his resignation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Swalwell story through skeptical, due-process-focused language and selective emphasis on delayed reporting. They highlight investigative outlets' role while questioning why allegations surfaced late, juxtapose comparisons (e.g., Tara Reade/Biden), and prioritize institutional norms over immediate belief, using anecdotal sourcing and evaluative descriptors to shape a fair‑play narrative.