'Smart decision': Swalwell's resignation spurs praise from both parties after bombshell allegations emerge

By Fox News · Fox News

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., announced he was planning to resign from Congress following sexual misconduct allegations, leading top Senate Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to praise the decision. Meanwhile, Republicans are questioning how much top Democrats knew before the final ball dropped Monday with Swalwell's resignation, which came just days after he suspended his California gubernatorial campaign. Swalwell said Monday that he was "deeply sorry" to his family, staff and constituents for his "mistakes," but stood headstrong in calling the sexual misconduct and abuse allegations against him "false." "I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members," Swalwell said in his announcement. "Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But, it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress." SWALWELL CAMPAIGN SETS OFF ALARM BELLS AFTER ACCEPTING $25K DONATION FROM CCP-TIED LAWYER: ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ "It was a good decision," added Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., when asked about Swalwell's resignation. "You don't have to be a rocket science to figure that out. It's terrible – what has been alleged." Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., reportedly told CNN that he thought Swalwell made the right decision. Swalwell's decision to resign keeps Democrats from having to vote on a contentious resolution to expel Swalwell, which was expected to happen if he had not resigned. "With a criminal investigation in the works, the move will avoid the need to answer questions immediately in an ethics investigation that might present legal dangers," George Washington University professor and Fox News legal analyst Jonathan Turley pointed out. "Few defense attorneys would relish a client responding to an open-ended ethics investigation when the outcome seems likely expulsion." When asked whether she had requested Swalwell res…