WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, apologized for publicly defending U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell before sexual misconduct allegations against the congressman became public. Gallego, who served alongside Swalwell in the House of Representatives for ten years, said his close personal relationship with Swalwell had impaired his judgment.

"My friendship with him, our family's friendship together with him, clouded my judgment, and I was wrong — I deeply, deeply regret that," Gallego said. He added: "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."

He said he was unaware of any allegations of predatory behavior, sexual assault, or harassment against Swalwell. He said he had heard for many years that Swalwell was a flirty, social person but only asked him about the misconduct allegations after they emerged. Weeks before a San Francisco Chronicle report about a former staffer's accusations, he said he asked Swalwell about sexual misconduct rumors and Swalwell lied to him.

The two lawmakers had a long personal history. Gallego chaired Swalwell's 2020 presidential campaign, and Swalwell attended Gallego's wedding in Puerto Rico in 2021. He said their families were very close, that their children attended baseball camp together, and that they shared family dinners. Swalwell once described Gallego as his best friend in the world. The two also accepted a trip to Doha, Qatar, costing $85,000, during which they posed shirtless on camels.

A former Swalwell aide alleged that she had several sexual encounters with him while she was his congressional staffer and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. Three other women who spoke to CNN accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, and two women alleged that he sent them unsolicited photos or videos of his penis. Swalwell acknowledged making mistakes but said the sexual assault allegations were flat false. He had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and said he intended to resign from Congress in the coming days.

Sara Azari, an attorney for Swalwell, said: "These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service." Azari added, "We will fight these despicable and baseless accusations with the same tenacity, courage, and conviction that has defined the Congressman's public service."