House Republicans launch rare expulsion push against scandal-plagued Democrats, exposing deep ethical rot in Congress amid a chaotic legislative year.
Story Snapshot
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna files motion to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations from four former staffers.
- Expulsions remain historically rare, requiring two-thirds House vote; only six members ousted in U.S. history.
- Swalwell denies claims, but top Democrats like Pelosi and Schiff urge him to drop California gubernatorial bid.
- House chaos drives record 27 lawmakers to exit for other offices, citing gridlock and weakened congressional power.
Luna Targets Swalwell Amid Assault Allegations
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced on Saturday she will file a motion to expel Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., from Congress. Four former staffers accuse Swalwell of sexual assault and misconduct, including one who claims waking up with vaginal bleeding in his hotel room after a night she cannot remember. Swalwell, married with children, denies the allegations as false and sent a cease-and-desist letter to one accuser. Luna demands a hard reset on Washington ethics. This action revives rare expulsion debates in a GOP-controlled House frustrated with elite corruption.
Historical Rarity of House Expulsions
The U.S. House has expelled only six members in its history, three in 1861 for joining the Confederacy and others like Rep. George Santos in recent years for ethics violations. Expulsion demands a two-thirds majority vote, far stricter than simple-majority censures seen in 2023 against figures like Santos, Schiff, Tlaib, and Bowman. The Constitution empowers the House to judge its members, needing no indictment. Such moves underscore conservative calls for accountability, countering deep state protections that shield powerful insiders from consequences.
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, admitted a past relationship with a staffer, adding to misconduct scrutiny, though focus remains on Swalwell. These cases highlight bipartisan failures where personal scandals erode public trust in representatives more loyal to self-preservation than American principles.
Chaos Fuels Record Congressional Exodus
A retirement wave grips the House, with 19 Republicans and eight Democrats departing for governor races, Senate bids, or other roles ahead of 2026 midterms—the highest in over three decades. Lawmakers cite unrelenting gridlock, a 43-day shutdown, and Speaker Mike Johnson’s limits on floor votes, including Trump tariff rebukes and Epstein files. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., running for governor, declared Congress broken, unable to rival executive power. This exodus signals shared frustration across parties with a federal government prioritizing elite interests over the people’s American Dream.
US House braces for rare expulsion wave, threatening legislative stability and market confidence. Political risk rises in Washington, with potential impacts on bonds and equities. Investors on alert. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/RgI22whxdN
— Flash Feed Macro (@FlashFeedMacro) April 13, 2026
Democrats accuse Republicans of obsequious Trump loyalty, weakening Article I oversight. Yet conservatives see vindication in America First policies exposing congressional irrelevance. Both sides agree: D.C. elites, the so-called deep state, fail citizens amid rising costs, immigration chaos, and fiscal mismanagement. Expulsion pushes and exits offer hope for restoring limited government and individual liberty, though two-thirds hurdles test GOP resolve in Trump’s second term.
Sources:
List of United States representatives expelled, censured, or reprimanded
List: Who is leaving Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms?
