Politics

Fifth Woman Accuses Swalwell of Rape

Is Swalwell's resignation a necessary reckoning with misconduct or a calculated political hit job by the Democratic machine?

Published APR 15

Story

Above: Attorney Lisa Bloom (left) with her client Lonna Drewes during a press conference in which Drewes accused U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault, on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California. Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Facts

Lonna Drewes, a fifth woman to publicly accuse former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct, alleged at a Beverly Hills news conference that he drugged her drink and raped her in a West Hollywood hotel in 2018.
Newsmax
CNN
Drewes said she did not file a police report at the time, citing fear of Swalwell's political connections, but recorded the events in a handwritten calendar and later discussed them in therapy at a sexual assault center in Connecticut.
The Washington Times
Shai Akabas
Swalwell's attorney, Sara Azari, said he "categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation" against him. Drewes' attorney, Lisa Bloom, said evidence would be submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Al Jazeera
BBC News
New York Post
Newsmax
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed it is probing the allegations. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed it is separately investigating a sexual assault allegation involving a former Swalwell staffer.
Newsmax
CNN
Swalwell resigned from Congress and dropped out of the California governor's race after multiple women accused him of misconduct. California Gov. Gavin Newsom set a special election for Aug. 18 to fill the vacant House seat.
Al Jazeera
Daily Wire
Shai Akabas
FBI Director Kash Patel publicly invited Swalwell to speak with the bureau following his resignation, posting on X that the FBI would "welcome him to sit down" and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Kash Patel on X

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

Swalwell's resignation is the right call — multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, including rape, and these allegations warrant a thorough and transparent investigation. When those in positions of power treat subordinates as targets rather than professionals, it erodes trust, and ultimately, the public bears the consequences.

Sfchronicle

The New York Times

Narrative B

The Swalwell takedown reeks of political convenience — the California Democratic machine likely sat on this information until it needed to thin the primary field, just like Andrew Cuomo's harassment was ignored until his COVID failures made him a liability. This is machine politics dressed up as accountability.

RiverOaks Guy on X