One day after Sen. Ruben Gallego said he was “betrayed” by good friend Eric Swalwell, a New York lawmaker is calling on Gallego to release communications between him and the former California congressman.
“Yesterday we heard claims of drugging, choking, rape,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said, referring to news reports about Swalwell, D-Calif., who resigned from the House Tuesday after reports of sexual misconduct. “I think it’s imperative for Ruben Gallego to release every text message, every email, every social media exchange, every photo or video of his interactions with Eric Swalwell.”
Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing despite accounts of sexual misconduct, harassment, assault, rape and drugging from women, including former staffers.
In a lengthy news conference Tuesday, Gallego, an Arizona Democrat who has been considered a potential Democratic presidential contender, said he had no knowledge of Swalwell’s behavior, but had heard about him being “flirty” for “many years.”
“The women that came forward are courageous and they still deserve justice. But to be clear again, I also did not know about predatory behavior, sexual assault or harassment,” Gallego told reporters.
Lawler sent a letter to Gallego on Tuesday pointing to Gallego’s support of releasing the files of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and calling on him to “adhere to the same standard set by you and Congress with respect to those with close ties to serial abusers.”
“In the interest of full transparency, you must release all text messages, emails, group chat messages including over Signal, social media communications, including Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, TikTok, as well as any photos and videos,” Lawler wrote.
Swalwell and Gallego were longtime friends and were once roommates when Gallego was in the House. Gallego was also the national campaign chairman for Swalwell’s 2020 campaign for president.
“If you think your job is to come to Congress to get laid, you don’t belong here. If you think your job is to come here to cheat on your spouse, you don’t belong and I think it’s long past time for there to be a reckoning,” Lawler said.
Two lawmakers — Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas — resigned Tuesday after allegations of sexual misconduct involving their congressional staff.
On Wednesday Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., vowed to be “as aggressive as possible” to crack down on sexual misconduct in the House.
“We will bring exact punishment upon those who violate that sacred obligation they have to be a good steward and a boss over their staffs and to not use that position for that kind of terrible activity,” he said.
Valerie Yurk contributed to this report.
