Becerra has hit out at the manager’s debate over rumors of Swalwell’s misconduct
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra faced scrutiny for his knowledge of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s alleged sexual misconduct during Wednesday night’s gubernatorial debate.
Becerra, who was secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Joe Biden, was asked about recent comments in which he said he had heard “rumors” about Swalwell’s actions. Swalwell withdrew from the California race and resigned from Congress because of the scandal.
“Mr. Becerra, you were the chairman of the Democratic Caucus when Eric Swalwell was elected to Congress. You said in a recent interview that, quote, ‘Many of us are hearing rumors.’ What rumors have you heard? And would you have followed the rumors as a member of the Democratic leadership?” NewsNation anchor Nikki Laurenzo asked.
“Thanks, Nikki. Yeah, you hear rumors all the time about all kinds of things. Rumors aren’t facts,” Becerra replied. “Also, the caucus, the caucus of the Democratic Alliance is not the place to judge those things. Law enforcement officers are not like that. If someone had come forward, we would have done an investigation.”
CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS REFUSE WITH POPULAR PRO-UNION ACTIVIST AFTER BOMBSHELL REPORT
Eric Swalwell and Xavier Becerra. (Getty Images)
The debate arose when Swalwell received a new complaint for conduct urging that Department of Justice to investigate whether he used his position in Congress to promote the start-up business he was running alongside his chief of staff.
Swalwell has also been accused by many women of inappropriate behavior in recent weeks, allegations he has denied despite admitting he made bad decisions in the past with women.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), an ethics watchdog, filed a lawsuit Wednesday asking the Justice Department’s Office of Congressional Conduct to investigate allegations that Swalwell operated Findraiser, an artificial intelligence tool for political fundraising, for lawmakers, staff and Democratic Alliance campaigns.
ERIC SWALWELL’S HOTEL CAMPAIGN PAID WHEN PUBLIC LONNA DREWES WANT TO BE HIT
Lonna Drewes reacts during a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., Tuesday, April 14, 2026, to clarify allegations of sexual misconduct against Rep. Eric Swalwell, after Swalwell dropped out of the California governor’s race and said he would resign from Congress. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)
FACT’s complaint was filed by Yardena Wolf, Swalwell’s former chief of staff and co-founder of Findraiser. Wolf eventually left his position as chief of staff to lead the late Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign.
Swalwell is already facing multiple investigations related to allegations of sexual misconduct, including by the Los Angeles County District Attorney, the Manhattan District Attorney and the Department of Justice.
Before allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him in early April, the former congressman was also facing heat for his behavior on Capitol Hill as it related to promoting the Fundraiser.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., went from a regular cable news guest to the subject of horror reports in a matter of days. (MS NOW/Screengrab)
One Democratic staffer reportedly told NOTUS newspaper that Swalwell is “selling the f— out” of the fundraiser on Capitol Hill.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
NOTUS released two reports in March, one of which cited Federal Election Commission data showing that an artificial intelligence-powered political fundraising tool was getting business from some of Swalwell’s longtime political allies, including Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
Alec Schemmel of Fox News contributed to this report.
