JUST IN: Top Democrat Senator Faces Firestorm Amid ‘Best Friend’ Swalwell’s Resignation

The fallout from sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell is rippling beyond the California Democrat, with fresh scrutiny now landing on Sen. Ruben Gallego and his past defense of his longtime ally.

Swalwell said Monday he plans to resign from Congress in the coming days after facing allegations that he raped and sent nude photos to younger women, including staffers. The congressman had already been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee before announcing his intent to step down.

Gallego, whom Swalwell once called “my best friend in the world,” initially rushed to his defense as rumors spread that the East Bay lawmaker had harassed staffers and pushed them to sign nondisclosure agreements.

“When you are in first place, is when they target you. Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race,” Gallego said last Tuesday.

As speculation mounted online that a damaging report was imminent, Gallego dismissed the claims. But after the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that Swalwell had sexually assaulted a former staffer while intoxicated, the Arizona senator reversed course and pulled his endorsement.

“I regret having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information. I am equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired,” Gallego said. He has been mentioned as a possible 2028 White House contender.

The two Democrats have long been closely tied politically and personally. Gallego chaired Swalwell’s 2020 presidential campaign, and the pair appeared together at campaign events. Swalwell also attended Gallego’s wedding in Puerto Rico in 2021. Both men drew criticism in the past for accepting an $85,000 trip to Doha, Qatar, where they posed shirtless on camels.

Instagram / Sydney Barron

Financial ties between the two have also come under renewed attention. Gallego allegedly spent $13,000 in campaign funds on FindRaiser, an AI startup launched by Swalwell, raising conflict-of-interest concerns about the congressman’s outreach to colleagues. Campaign finance records also show Gallego donated $8,000 to Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid.

“An important question everyone should be asking: what did Senator Ruben Gallego know and when did he know it?,” Democratic influencer Yashar Ali wrote on X.

RELATED: Scandal-Plagued GOP Congressman Announces Resignation

“The idea that Ruben Gallego didn’t know this was going on is ridiculous,” Republican operative Matt Whitlock added.

Gallego pushed back Monday, saying he had no prior knowledge of the allegations.

“I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell. I trusted someone who I believed was a friend, but it is now clear that he is not the person I thought I knew,” Gallego said on X.

The controversy has also prompted renewed attention on Gallego’s personal history. Reports have resurfaced that he served divorce papers to his pregnant ex-wife and later began a relationship with his current wife, Sydney Barron, who was 25 when they met. Swalwell attended their wedding.

Swalwell has denied the accusations, insisting they are “false.”

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