Top Democrat Claims No Advance Warning of Scandal
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark stated Thursday that she had received no advance warning about the sexual misconduct allegations that forced the resignations of two former colleagues this week. The Massachusetts Democrat, the highest-ranking woman in Congress, told CNN she learned of the accusations against former Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales only when they became public.
"I personally did not even hear a rumor about Eric Swalwell or Tony Gonzales until the allegations came out," Clark said during an interview on "CNN News Central." She emphasized that lawmakers hold a special responsibility to maintain ethical standards. "We have a duty to act, and we have a standard that should be of the highest because we represent people. We are public servants and we have to make sure that we are not just meeting the law but that we are doing that honorably and we do it and create a workplace that is secure."
Resignations Follow Multiple Investigations
Gonzales, a Texas Republican, and Swalwell, a California Democrat, resigned from the House of Representatives on Tuesday amid separate House Ethics Committee probes. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is reportedly conducting a criminal investigation into Swalwell, while the Los Angeles District Attorney has also confirmed an active probe.
The allegations surfaced publicly last Friday when the San Francisco Chronicle published an account from a former aide accusing Swalwell of sexual assault. CNN subsequently reported accusations from three additional women who said the lawmaker sent unsolicited explicit messages and nude photographs. A fifth accuser later came forward. Swalwell, who had been running for governor of California, suspended his campaign on Sunday before resigning his House seat. He has called the allegations "false" while acknowledging past "mistakes in judgment."
For Gonzales, the San Antonio Express-News reported earlier this year on an affair with his district director, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. Text messages provided by her widower showed Gonzales soliciting sexual material from her. Gonzales admitted to the affair last month.
Democratic Leadership Echoes Claims of Ignorance
Other senior Democrats have similarly denied prior knowledge of the allegations. California Representatives Pete Aguilar and Ted Lieu, the third- and fourth-ranking House Democrats, told reporters Wednesday they first learned of the accusations from news reports.
"Personally, I found out when the San Francisco Chronicle article was published on Friday," Aguilar said. "Just shock and saddened — I felt for the accusers who absolutely need to be believed, and just shocked and saddened for everybody involved." He described the allegations as "deeply disturbing" and "horrific in nature." Lieu stated, "I had no idea until I read the San Francisco Chronicle article when it was published, and I believe Representative Swalwell did the right thing by resigning."
The rapid departures have triggered a renewed #MeToo reckoning within Congress, raising questions about the institution's internal reporting mechanisms and culture. The scandal has also upended the California governor's race, where polls now show a new frontrunner following Swalwell's exit from the contest.
Calls for Systemic Reform
In her CNN interview, Clark focused on the need for systemic change to protect congressional staff. "We have to make sure we have a system that enables people, if these incidents happen to them to report it and know they will be taken seriously and that their jobs will be protected while an investigation goes forward," she argued. "There clearly is a system here where people don't feel they have that security, and that's what we have to address."
She stressed that members must ensure their staff knows how to report misconduct. The fallout continues as the Justice Department has opened a tip line for information related to the Swalwell allegations, signaling the expansion of federal scrutiny. Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Representative Lauren Boebert, have called for the revocation of the former lawmakers' congressional pensions.
The episode presents an immediate challenge for Democratic leadership as they manage the political fallout while attempting to advance legislative priorities. It also highlights ongoing tensions about accountability, with some lawmakers arguing the resignations represent appropriate consequences, while others question whether the institution's internal safeguards failed to prevent the alleged behavior.
