Gallego reflects on defending Swalwell and the costly lesson it taught him
Sen. Rubén Gallego says he defended Eric Swalwell without knowledge of the sexual misconduct allegations and acknowledges it was a mistake. He explains he had heard rumors about other politicians and Swalwell’s loyalty during a difficult 2024 campaign, denies hearing predatory rumors, and now says he would not have acted the same way. He frames the episode as a learning moment about judgment and a broader culture on the Hill, pledging to be a better boss and senator as he weighs a possible 2028 bid.