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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Swalwell (and Gonzales) shoved out of Congress

Rep. Eric Swalwell is officially leaving Congress.

The California Democrat was in an untenable position almost as soon as news reports of women accusing Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including a former staffer who accused him of sexual assault.

The fallout was swift and immediate. Swalwell–who had gained notoriety as a sharp critic of President Donald Trump who had hoped to parlay his name ID into becoming governor of California–immediately saw Democrats withdraw their endorsements.

By Sunday, he announced that he would suspend his campaign for governor. The House Ethics Committee would also announce a probe into Swalwell.

Ultimately, his tenure in the House became untenable and he would announce his exit from Congress.

But this forced an uncomfortable question on the Republican side of the aisle.

In the past few months, numerous news reports revealed that Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who is married, had engaged in an affair with a former staffer who would eventually die by suicide.

House Republican leadership had already encouraged him to not seek re-election even though he qualified for the runoff election. Gonzales aceded, but remained in Congress.

But the growing pressure to push Swalwell and ultimately the Democrat's resignation made it just as impossible for Gonzales to stay in the House and he announced he would resign too.

It's an eye-for-an-eye situation in the House because one Democrat and one Republican will leave; they both hail from relatively safe districts.

On the surface, it seems anodyne, but in the era of Trump and George Santos, it shows shaming elected officials can still work.

Read more here.

By Eric Garcia

Reading list

David Aaronovitch: Who will rid Donald Trump of this turbulent Pope?
Holly Baxter: Trump deleted AI Jesus then ordered McNuggets in probably his weirdest move yet

Daily briefing

US blockade of Iranian ports begins as Trump warns any ship that comes close will be eliminated

CENTCOM has warned that the blockade will apply to all ships regardless of flag, Maira Butt and Oisin Mcilroy report.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

I thought it was me as a doctor.

President Donald Trump, on the AI image that he deleted that depicted himself as Jesus Christ.

What else you need to know

Let's get ready to rumble: President Donald Trump revealed new details about the Ultimate Fighting Championship cage match — complete with a custom-built outdoor octagon — slated to take place at the White House on his 80th birthday this summer. Brendan Rascius has more.
Midterm watch: The Cook Political Report shifted four Senate races to favor Democratic candidates as the minority party looks increasingly poised to flip the upper chamber. Eric Garcia writes how races in North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia and Nebraska moved in Democrats' favor.