“And again, I was manipulated, I was lied to, and everyone else was too.”
Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego was pressed by a reporter Tuesday about his knowledge of sexual misconduct allegations involving former Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress Monday, one day after he ended his gubernatorial campaign, over allegations from multiple women were made public, including one from a former staffer accusing him of assaulting her on two occasions. Gallego, who served as chairman of Swalwell’s failed 2020 presidential bid and has been described by Swalwell as his “best friend,” faced questions from reporters about the allegations and his initial defense of Swalwell.
“We knew each other differently from everyone else. My family and his family were as close as it gets, our kids were in baseball camp together,” Gallego told reporters. “You know, we, we had dinner together as a family. It, it was entirely different, but I think what people understand… when there was rumors going around a couple of weeks ago, not of the folks or whatever in San Francisco Chronicle, I did ask him, and he lied to me.”
The first-term senator claimed to reporters that Swalwell used their personal history to “manipulate” and deceive Gallego into defending him.
“How did you not know about the allegations though, considering you chaired his presidential campaign?” one reporter asked. Swalwell and Gallego took a trip to Qatar in 2021 together, and were photographed riding camels, according to the New York Post.
“This man led a double life. He lied to us, he lied to his family, he lied to his constituents,” Gallego claimed. “It’s the most powerful people in this country, you know, even before he ran, he was trusted with some, some, you know, positions that normally we would never think someone like this could do if they’re leading that double life. And again, I was manipulated, I was lied to, and everyone else was too.”
Gallego said that if he were to be subpoenaed, he would release text messages or other materials requested during legal proceedings.
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US Sen. Ruben Gallego Scrambles to Distance Himself From Swalwell Scandal Days After Defending Him
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is attempting to distance himself from embattled California Democrat Eric Swalwell following a wave of allegations that have derailed Swalwell’s political standing. But Gallego’s initial response, and the depth of their prior relationship, are drawing renewed scrutiny.
Gallego was not a distant ally. He served as a national co-chair for Swalwell’s 2020 presidential campaign, launched in 2019, placing him inside Swalwell’s national political operation. Such a role reflects a high level of trust and alignment, not a casual endorsement.
That relationship has become newly relevant as questions mount over Gallego’s judgment.
When allegations against Swalwell first began circulating publicly following a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, Gallego’s initial reaction was to defend his long-term ally. In early exchanges, he pushed back on critics and dismissed claims as politically motivated. Only days later, as the allegations intensified and broader political pressure mounted, Gallego reversed course—ultimately withdrawing his support and calling for Swalwell to step aside.
Critics argue the timeline suggests not a change of principle or the emergence of new information, but a response to mounting political pressure.
Gallego has since said he had “no knowledge” of the allegations. But in subsequent remarks, he acknowledged that he had heard prior concerns about Swalwell’s behavior, describing them as “flirty,” even as rumors were circulating before the allegations became public.
That distinction may prove politically significant. While Gallego has denied knowledge of the allegations themselves, his acknowledgment of prior concerns raises questions about whether warning signs existed—and how they were weighed.
During a press conference addressing mounting questions, Gallego sought to distance himself from Swalwell and denied having prior knowledge of the Congressman’s alleged behavior, despite their close personal and political relationship.
None of those details, on their own, establish wrongdoing.
But taken together—Gallego’s leadership role in Swalwell’s campaign, his initial public defense, his dramatic reversal under pressure, his acknowledgment of prior concerns about Swalwell’s behavior, and criticism from within his own party—they form a broader picture that critics argue raises questions about judgment.
The timeline does not suggest a lack of information so much as a sequence of decisions.
Faced with early allegations against a close political ally, Gallego defended. As the allegations intensified and political pressure grew, he distanced himself. Only then did his posture fully change.
For Arizona voters, the question may ultimately be less about Swalwell himself and more about what Gallego’s response reveals. Not just who he stands with—but how he responds when those allies, and he himself by association, come under scrutiny.
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‘I fell for it:’ Gallego gives emotional remarks following Swalwell sexual assault allegations
Sen. Ruben Gallego said his former close friend, Rep. Eric Swalwell, “betrayed” his trust following revelations of sexual assault allegations and denied having any knowledge of the serious accusations lodged against the California Democrat.
“Eric Swalwell lied to all of us — lied to the most powerful people in this country — and they trusted him,” Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, told reporters Tuesday afternoon in his office.
“I fell for it,” Gallego said, adding that Swalwell “became very good at being a predator.”
Swalwell, who served with Gallego in the House, has withdrawn his bid for California governor and announced plans he will resign from Congress following multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
“I let this man into my family … it hurts me that this man hurt a lot of people,” Gallego, who chaired Swalwell’s 2020 presidential campaign, said in emotional remarks where he at times appeared on the verge of tears.
While Gallego conceded he had long heard rumblings that Swalwell was “flirty,” he insisted he was unaware of the severity of the charges being lodged against Swalwell by former staffers — including rape.
“Look, we socialized. We went out. But I never saw him engage in any of the predatory behavior, harassment, sexual assault or even like anything that,” Gallego said. “I’m sorry that we didn’t listen closer.”
He apologized to the victims of Swalwell’s alleged misconduct and pledged to hand over to the authorities electronic communications he had with Swalwell as part of any legal proceedings. Gallego also said revelations about Swalwell have made him reconsider rumors he’d heard previously about sexual transgressions involving elected officials in Washington — and reevaluate occasions where he might have crossed boundaries within his own professional circles.
“I definitely look at the world a different way now,” said Gallego. “I certainly am going to make sure that I’m going to take, you know, personal steps and office steps to make sure that we don’t even get close to a gray line.”
Gallego did not directly address whether his connection to Swalwell would discourage him from potentially pursuing his own presidential bid in 2028.
“Our full consideration is, first of all, what the hell just happened,” he said.
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Sen. Gallego on his relationship with Eric Swalwell
Senator appears tense and uncomfortable during contentious presser
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