In the span of just four days, Eric Swalwell went from Democratic front-runner for California governor to a political corpse — forced out of the race, resigned from Congress, and under criminal investigation for sexual assault allegations. His downfall wasn’t an accident. It was by design, and it tells you everything about how the Democratic machine operates.
Swalwell, 45, was Nancy Pelosi’s “made man” — the golden child of San Francisco’s machine politics. He was installed on the House Intelligence Committee, chosen as a lead attack dog against President Trump, and protected when he was caught having an affair with a Chinese spy named Fang Fang.
Now? His name is erased from his congressional office. The California billionaire whose house he holed up in has thrown him out and renounced the Democratic Party. And Pelosi claims with a straight face she had “no idea” about his sins.
The Fall: What Happened in Four Days
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Swalwell drops out of California governor’s race (he was the Democratic front-runner) |
| Day 2 | Resigns from Congress after 13 years |
| Day 3 | At least five women come forward accusing him of drugging, sexual assault, and harassment |
| Day 4 | Under criminal investigation |
One accuser says Swalwell choked and raped her while she was so incapacitated she couldn’t raise her arms — and thought she was going to die. Another says he sent unsolicited photos of his penis.
Swalwell’s “best friend in the whole world,” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), claims he knew nothing: “This man lived a double life.” Gallego says all he heard was rumors that Swalwell was a little “flirty” — a euphemism for serial harassment.
The Machine’s Modus Operandi
Miranda Devine, the New York Post columnist who broke much of this story open, argues that Swalwell’s rise and fall were both orchestrated by the same Democratic machine.
How the machine builds its puppets:
- Sponsorship: Pelosi sponsored Swalwell’s 2012 upset primary defeat of incumbent Rep. Pete Stark, a 40-year veteran she couldn’t control.
- Protection: She protected him despite his affair with a Chinese spy and his “open secret” sexual proclivities.
- Placement: She installed him on powerful committees and made him her attack dog against Trump.
- Blackmailability: The machine wants its protégés to have compromising secrets — so they’ll remain on the leash.
How the machine disposes of obstacles:
Swalwell got in the way of the machine’s preferred outcome in the California governor’s race. With too many Democrats in the field threatening to split the vote in favor of Republican Steve Hilton, Swalwell had to go.
The beneficiaries:
- Tom Steyer: The hedge fund billionaire-turned-climate zealot. One poll shows his odds of winning jumped from 51% to 56% after Swalwell dropped out.
- Katie Porter: The “mashed potato” congresswoman known for terrorizing staff in leaked temper tantrums and allegedly attacking her ex-husband with a bowl of steaming mashed potatoes. She has more than tripled her vote since Swalwell’s exit.
Hilton’s advantage is now “ebbing,” Devine reports.
California: The ‘Kingdom of Fraud’
Devine argues that California’s Democratic machine is fueled by illegal migration and social services fraud. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has called California the “kingdom of fraud” as he confronts massive organized ripoffs of Medicaid, home health services, and hospice care.
How the machine benefits:
- Illegal migration inflates census counts, leading to extra House seats and more electoral votes
- Voter fraud becomes easier to conceal in high-immigration areas
- Social services fraud (estimated tens or hundreds of billions of dollars) gets recycled through unions and “grassroots” donations back into the party
California Democrats, including presidential aspirant Gov. Gavin Newsom (another Pelosi protégé), turn a blind eye to the fraud — because it’s the price of prospering in the machine.
The Pelosi Protection Racket
Pelosi now claims she had no idea about Swalwell’s behavior. But Devine calls that a “straight face” lie.
Consider the timeline:
- 2012: Pelosi sponsors Swalwell’s primary upset
- 2017: Swalwell is caught having an affair with Chinese spy Fang Fang — yet remains on the House Intelligence Committee
- 2019-2020: Swalwell serves as a manager in Trump’s first impeachment
- 2026: Five women accuse Swalwell of sexual assault; Pelosi suddenly knows nothing
As one commenter on the Post’s article noted:
“Don’t think for a second that Swalwell’s rise is any different from that of Harris’s rise to VP. Different players same game.”
The Hypocrisy: ‘Believe All Women’ — Until It’s One of Their Own
Swalwell was one of the most vocal proponents of “believe all women” — when it came to Brett Kavanaugh. He demanded that the nation accept uncorroborated allegations against the Supreme Court justice.
Now, according to one of his own accusers, Swalwell had done to her, only months before, exactly what he was accusing Kavanaugh of doing.
Devine writes:
“He’s now whining about being denied ‘due process,’ but what due process did he ever give Brett Kavanaugh or Trump?”
The hypocrisy is staggering — but entirely predictable.
What Happens Next
- Criminal investigation: Swalwell is under investigation. He could face prison time if the allegations are substantiated.
- California governor’s race: Tom Steyer and Katie Porter are now the Democratic front-runners. Steve Hilton’s chances are fading.
- Pelosi’s legacy: Her role in protecting Swalwell will likely face renewed scrutiny, though she remains powerful.
- The machine lives on: As Devine concludes, “The machine lives on.” Swalwell is disposable. The system is not.
FAQ: Eric Swalwell’s Fall
Q: What is Eric Swalwell accused of?
A: At least five women have accused him of drugging, sexually assaulting, and/or harassing them. One accuser says he choked and raped her.
Q: Did he drop out of the governor’s race?
A: Yes. He was the Democratic front-runner before the allegations surfaced.
Q: Who benefits from his fall?
A: Tom Steyer and Katie Porter, who are now leading Democratic candidates. Republican Steve Hilton’s chances have decreased.
Q: Did Nancy Pelosi know about his behavior?
A: She claims she didn’t. Critics say his behavior was an “open secret” and she protected him for years.
Q: What was his role in the Kavanaugh hearings?
A: Swalwell was a vocal supporter of “believe all women” and demanded Kavanaugh’s nomination be withdrawn based on uncorroborated allegations.
Q: Is he under criminal investigation?
A: Yes. He resigned from Congress and is now facing a criminal probe.
Sources: New York Post (Miranda Devine), Associated Press, House Judiciary records, California secretary of state election data. This article was published April 16, 2026.