Tennessee Republican Congressman Andy Ogles stated Monday that individuals convicted of rape should face execution, a comment made as sexual misconduct allegations engulf California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell. Ogles explicitly denied his statement was a threat against Swalwell, though he made the remark while discussing the allegations against his congressional colleague.
"Rapists should be hung, period. No questions," Ogles told conservative commentator Benny Johnson during an interview. "Now I'm not — I don't want the Secret Service to come, I'm not talking about Eric Swalwell, I'm not threatening a member of Congress. But the point is, we've got to say enough is enough, we can't allow this type of behavior."
Swalwell Suspends Campaign Amid Multiple Allegations
The controversy follows Swalwell's Sunday announcement suspending his campaign for California governor. This decision came approximately two days after initial reports surfaced alleging he sexually assaulted a former staffer on multiple occasions. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a former aide alleges Swalwell assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. CNN has reported three additional women have accused the congressman of sexual misconduct.
The allegations have triggered immediate political consequences, with Swalwell now facing pressure from fellow Democrats to resign from Congress entirely. The situation reflects a broader push for ethics enforcement in the House as multiple members face scrutiny.
Bipartisan Calls for Resignation and Expulsion
New Mexico Democratic Representative Teresa Leger Fernández publicly declared Sunday that both Swalwell and Texas Republican Representative Tony Gonzales should leave Congress. Gonzales recently acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
"Gonzales and Swalwell are not fit to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions against women who work for them," Leger Fernández stated on social media. "They should resign or be expelled. There's already been a resolution announced to expel Swalwell that I will support. I will introduce a resolution to expel Rep. Gonzales."
This sentiment indicates growing bipartisan pressure for accountability, though expulsion requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House, a historically rare outcome. Florida Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna has claimed the House already has sufficient votes to expel both members over their ethical controversies.
Swalwell's withdrawal fundamentally alters California's open gubernatorial race, removing a prominent Democratic contender. His office has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations or the mounting calls for his resignation.
The Ogles incident highlights the volatile political atmosphere surrounding sexual misconduct allegations in Congress, where statements about punishment intersect with ongoing investigations and partisan dynamics. While Ogles framed his execution comment as a general principle, its timing ensures it will be viewed through the lens of the Swalwell scandal, demonstrating how allegations against one member can prompt broader declarations about justice and punishment from their colleagues.
