Sen. Ruben Gallego publicly distanced himself from former Rep. Eric Swalwell this week, issuing statements addressing both the allegations against Swalwell and claims circulating online about a viral video, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Gallego’s comments came as scrutiny intensified around Swalwell, who resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

The situation escalated further after a fifth accuser came forward during a press conference in Beverly Hills, alleging that Swalwell raped her at a West Hollywood hotel in 2018.

Prior to Swalwell’s resignation, Gallego said he had no prior knowledge of the accusations.

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“I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell,” Gallego said.

“I trusted someone who I believed was a friend, but it is now clear that he is not the person I thought I knew,” he added.

Following additional allegations, Gallego expanded his criticism during remarks to reporters, stating that Swalwell had misled those around him.

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“Eric Swalwell lied to all of us. He lies to the most powerful people in this country. And they trusted him,” Gallego said.

“They trusted him with the most sensitive spots in our government. Whether it was a Judiciary Committee, Intel Committee, or impeaching Donald Trump,” he said.

“And that clouded my judgment, my friendship with him, our family’s friendship together with him clouded my judgment, and I was wrong,” Gallego said.

Gallego also addressed reports suggesting that Swalwell maintained a “double life,” while acknowledging he had previously heard claims that Swalwell was “flirty” with women.

At the same time, Gallego responded to questions about a video circulating online that allegedly shows Swalwell sitting on a bed with a sex worker.

The video was released by Martin Shkreli and Jack Posobiec, and a man resembling Gallego is briefly visible in the footage.

When asked directly whether he appeared in the video, Gallego denied being present.

“No, I was not sitting next to him, I was not in the room,” Gallego said.

“I didn’t know where it happened. Right-wing political operatives are pushing this narrative that somehow I was in that room with uh Eric Swalwell, and that is an absolute lie,” he said.

The developments have added another layer to the fallout surrounding Swalwell, whose resignation has already reshaped the political landscape in California and drawn responses from multiple public figures.

Gallego’s statements mark a shift from his earlier defense of Swalwell on social media, as additional allegations and details emerged in recent days.

The situation remains ongoing as more information continues to surface and as officials and political figures respond to the evolving allegations.

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