The saga of Eric Swalwell is unfolding like a soap opera that has taken way too long to get to the point. Here’s a former congressman whose name has been volleyed around Washington like a tennis ball, and now, at long last, it seems the ball might just be landing back in his court. With two investigations launched into the numerous accusations of sexual misconduct — including two grave accusations of rape — many folks are finally asking, why now? Rumors about his behavior have been whispered in the hallowed halls of politics for ages, yet it appears the media and some Democrats had a severe case of selective hearing.
Back in 2017, news outlets were abuzz with reports of an unnamed California lawmaker chasing after female staffers like a cat after a laser pointer. Some may wonder if this mystery politician was indeed Swalwell, but apparently, journalists decided it was nap time instead of digging deeper. Politico even hinted at a mass unmasking of lawmakers involved in misconduct. Did it happen? Predictably, no. Instead, it seems the story evaporated faster than a mirage in the desert. The real kicker is that both the media and politicians who’ve been sitting on this whisper-filled secret seem to have developed a sudden case of amnesia when pressed for details.
For years, the party that claims it stands for women’s rights wrapped themselves in an impenetrable cloak of political protection around this alleged predator. Many big-name Democrats have casually admitted, with the nonchalance one uses when discussing the weather, that they’d all heard the “rumors.” Even political power players, who generally know their way around a scandal or two, confessed their knowledge. Yet, they chose the route of willful ignorance. How convenient.
Adding fuel to this ever-growing firestorm, one brave woman details an account that would make anyone’s skin crawl. She recounts an appalling incident, suggesting she was drugged and then assaulted by Swalwell, whom she feared due to his political influence. Yet, those who claim to be champions of justice and equality apparently had more pressing concerns than confronting these unsavory claims when they first emerged. It’s a real plot twist that those who urge the world to “believe women” could bury their heads in the sand when faced with allegations close to home.
As if scripted from some political thriller, a Republican Congresswoman viewing from the outside remarks on the systemic issue within Congress. While the focus is currently on Swalwell, she’s quick to point out that Congress as a whole has a serious “predator problem.” She talks about the necessity of cleaning house, the urgency for accountability across party lines, and the sheer gumption needed from victims to come forward while wading through layers of political debris.
Yet, as the circus unfolds, on an entirely different stage, there’s a whiff of optimism. Without needing boots on Iranian soil, Trump might be on the verge of achieving a long-overdue peace, proving once again that in politics, nothing is as it seems. While some politicians are seemingly more skilled at covering up scandals than addressing them, Trump’s efforts in the Middle East present a rare flicker of teamwork and strategy actually delivering results. For once, some seemingly substantial progress amid the political chaos. Perhaps it’s an indicator that miracles can happen, but whether it includes cleaning up the house of Congressmen behaving badly remains to be seen.
