A Republican lawmaker from Florida is pushing to expel two members of Congress, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzalez, following allegations of sexual assault that have drawn national attention.
In a video shared on X, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she is filing a motion to expel Swalwell, arguing it is “unacceptable” for him to remain in office while facing such claims. She also indicated that Gonzalez, a Republican who has announced he will not seek reelection, could face a similar move.
Swalwell, a California Democrat, has denied the allegations, calling them “flat false,” and has pushed back publicly as the claims surfaced during his gubernatorial campaign.
Gonzalez, a Texas Republican, is already under scrutiny after admitting to an affair with a former aide, which triggered a House Ethics Committee investigation into potential misconduct and violations of congressional rules.
Luna framed the effort as a matter of accountability, saying lawmakers should not continue to collect taxpayer-funded salaries while facing serious allegations. She added that the move could lead to further action in Congress.
Online Reactions Call for Accountability as Others Urge Due Process
The announcement quickly sparked reactions online, with many users supporting the push to remove lawmakers accused of misconduct. One commenter wrote, “No one is above the law,” while another said, “Anyone else in the real world would lose their job.”
One user used stronger language, calling Swalwell a “slime ball” who “needs to go,” and another simply stated that the situation was “unacceptable.” Some also questioned whether Congress applies different standards to its own members, pointing to past controversies involving both parties.
At the same time, a smaller group of users cautioned against rushing to judgment. “Accountability matters but so does due process,” one commenter wrote, arguing that allegations should be fully investigated before any action is taken.
Some reactions also dismissed the move entirely, with one user calling it “political theater” and another suggesting “nothing ever happens.”
The motion is drawing attention partly because it targets members of both parties simultaneously, and because it comes amid Swalwell’s active gubernatorial campaign, giving the allegations an added political dimension.
A successful expulsion would require a two-thirds vote in the House, a threshold that has rarely been met in congressional history.
