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Former Swalwell ally says longtime friendship with him ‘clouded my judgement’ as rumors swirled in DC
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One of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s, D-Calif., closest friends in Congress said their tight-knit relationship «clouded his judgment» regarding rumors that swirled about the ex-lawmaker for years in Washington, D.C.
«Eric Swalwell lied to all of us,» Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said at an impromptu press conference in his office. «He lied to the most powerful people in this country and they trusted him. They trusted him with some of the most sensitive spots in our government, whether it was on Judiciary Committee, Intel Committee, impeaching Donald Trump.»
«And that clouded my judgment, my friendship with him,» he continued. «Our family’s friendship together with him clouded my judgment. And I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that.»
SWALWELL OUT AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AFTER 13 YEARS IN CONGRESS
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., demanded that the Trump administration refund billions in tariff revenue following President Donald Trump’s stinging Supreme Court loss. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
It’s a sharp pivot for Gallego, given that the two had a familial-like relationship. Just last week, Gallego defended Swalwell online against allegations of misconduct, which he later said he regretted.
Their kids went to baseball camp together, they babysat one another’s children, and Gallego even jumped on board as national chair for Swalwell’s failed 2020 presidential bid.
But after a bombshell report from the San Francisco Chronicle alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer, his former friend is no longer sticking up for him.
SWALWELL’S ‘BEST FRIEND’ IN CONGRESS TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS TORPEDO HIS POLITICAL CAREER
Rep. Eric Swalwell spoke during a press conference on committee assignments for the 118th Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
In the days since that report surfaced, five people in total have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct or rape.
Gallego, while heaping blame on Swalwell and apologizing to his alleged victims, maintained that he had no knowledge of the alleged behavior. He noted, however, that rumors had circulated about Swalwell — and other past lawmakers — in the nation’s capital for years.
When pressed on the nature of those rumors, Gallego said Swalwell was «flirty,» but nothing along the lines of the allegations that sank his gubernatorial bid and congressional career — nor activity that «I would say would rise to the occasion that I would be able to, you know, not talk to his wife the next day and be able to look her in the eye.»
When allegations began to surface online at the onset of Swalwell’s gubernatorial run, Gallego said Swalwell «manipulated» him into believing it was a smear campaign similar to the one used against him during his 2024 Senate race against Kari Lake.
PELOSI, CALIFORNIA DEMS SLAM SWALWELL OVER BOMBSHELL SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS: ‘INDEFENSIBLE’
Lonna Drewes, alongside attorney Lisa Bloom, spoke during a news briefing on April 14, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California, where Drewes alleged that former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., drugged and sexually assaulted her during a 2018 encounter after offering professional mentorship. Swalwell has denied the allegations. (Myun J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
«He knew I came off a horrible race where I had to answer to my family. I have to answer accusations to best friends, to my kids. And he fed into that,» Gallego said. «He fed into it and I fell for it like everyone else. I fell for the lies. I regret it, but that’s what happened.»
The two spent significant time together — on official and private trips, on each other’s campaigns, and within the halls of Congress.
When asked how it was possible that neither he nor other lawmakers who had known Swalwell for years — including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. — were aware, Gallego said «he became very good at being a predator.»
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«And he clearly preyed on these women in different positions. And he became extremely proficient at lying to us, lying to his family, lying to his community,» Gallego said. «You know, the nature of his job allowed him to travel. And we just did not fully understand … There’s just no way we could have seen any of this.»
Facing expulsion and a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of his conduct, Swalwell officially resigned from Congress on Tuesday.
While he apologized to his family and constituents, he doubled down against the accusations leveled against him.
«I will fight the serious false allegations made against me,» Swalwell wrote in his resignation letter. «However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.»
maxine waters, congress, sex crimes, eric swalwell, investigations
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The Israel Defense Forces announced the elimination of a senior Hezbollah commander who was accused of orchestrating the 2007 kidnapping and murder of five American soldiers.
The IDF said they killed Hezbollah terrorist Ali Musa Daqduq was killed Friday in a precise strike in southern Lebanon, south of the Litani River.
«ELIMINATED: Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander who held a series of 5 senior positions within Hezbollah,» the IDF hailed on X. «Daqduq played a central role in advancing terrorist attacks and combat operations against Israel and IDF soldiers. In 2007, he orchestrated the kidnapping and murder of 5 American soldiers.»
Israeli officials targeted the veteran Hezbollah operative who held multiple senior roles in the terror organization.
ISRAEL KILLS 2 HEZBOLLAH COMMANDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR 400 STRIKES AGAINST THEM IN OCTOBER: IDF
«His elimination constitutes another significant blow to Hezbollah’s senior chain of command by eliminating one of the most prominent operatives responsible for terrorist activity against Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers, and American servicemembers,» the IDF wrote in a statement.
«The IDF will continue to operate against commanders of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.»
ISRAEL ELIMINATES HEZBOLLAH’S TOP MILITARY COMMANDER HAYTHAM ALI TABATABAI IN TARGETED BEIRUT STRIKE
The Israeli Defense Forces announced the elimination of terrorist Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander who held a series of five senior positions, having advanced terrorist attacks and combat operations against Israel and IDF soldiers. In 2007, he orchestrated the kidnapping and murder of five American soldiers. (Israel Defense Forces/X)
Daqduq’s roles included commander of the security unit for eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, commander in the Radwan Force, commander in the Operations Department of the Nasser Unit, head of Hezbollah’s Infantry Unit and commander of Hezbollah’s «Golan Terrorist Network,» according to the IDF.
The Golan network was responsible for Hezbollah’s entrenchment in Syria and the establishment of military infrastructure near Israel’s border. The unit’s activities were exposed by Israel in 2019.
«In recent years, he played a central role in advancing terrorist attacks and combat operations against the State of Israel and IDF soldiers,» the IDF said.
IDF FINDS HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS CACHE IN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL: VIDEO
Daqduq also led much of Hezbollah’s operational planning against Israeli troops along the Lebanon border over the past several years, the IDF added.
Daqduq was captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2007, but was transferred to Iraqi custody during the U.S. withdrawal in 2011 under former President Barack Obama. Iraqi courts later dismissed charges against him, and Baghdad released him in 2012.
«His elimination constitutes another significant blow to Hezbollah’s senior chain of command by eliminating one of the most prominent operatives responsible for terrorist activity against Israeli civilians, IDF soldiers, and American servicemembers,» the IDF said.
ISRAEL STRIKES BEIRUT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE A CEASEFIRE ENDED THE LATEST ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH WAR
The announcement came as Israel also carried out strikes Sunday in the Dahieh district of Beirut, targeting what the IDF described as Hezbollah infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that the Beirut strikes were ordered in response to Hezbollah fire toward Israeli territory.
«Israel will not tolerate fire into its territory,» they said.
The latest strikes come at a sensitive diplomatic moment, as U.S.-backed efforts continue to finalize a broader regional deal with Iran and President Donald Trump.
ISRAELI OFFICIAL REJECTS TRUMP’S CALL FOR IRAN DEAL: ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ TO NEGOTIATE WITH ‘EVIL, JIHADIST REGIME’
Ali Musa Daqduq, a longtime Hezbollah commander, was killed after years of involvement in the group’s military and terrorist operations, according to Israeli officials. (Israeli Defense Forces; Photo by Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«Bibi should not have done what he did,» Trump told Fox News’ Middle East correspondent Trey Yingst.
He said to Netanyahu: «What the f–k are you doing?»
Trump told Yingst he hopes the deal with Iran will be signed before the night. He will remove the blockade of Iranian ports immediately once it is signed.
TRUMP CONFIRMS ‘CRAZY’ NETANYAHU CLASH AS QUESTIONS MOUNT OVER PUSH TO HOLD FIRE ON HEZBOLLAH TERRORISTS
Trump will ask Iran not to respond with missiles toward Israel.
A diplomat involved in the talks told Fox News the Beirut strikes were complicating those efforts.
«The strikes today in Beirut are creating issues with finalizing the deal,» the diplomat said. «This is a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the president’s deal and drag the United States back into war.»
A senior Israeli official rejected that characterization, telling Fox News that Israel was responding to Hezbollah attacks.
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«We reject the notion that Israel is to blame for the exchange of fire,» the official said. «Hezbollah attacks have targeted Israeli civilians the past three days.»
Fox News’ Trey Yingst contributed to this report.
terrorism, donald trump, israel, benjamin netanyahu, iraq, lebanon
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Gabbard says declassified biolab records validate concerns previously dismissed as misinformation
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a trove of declassified records detailing U.S. funding of more than 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries, arguing the documents validate concerns that were previously dismissed as misinformation.
The release comes years after Gabbard drew criticism for raising concerns about U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Critics accused her of echoing Russian narratives, while supporters argued legitimate questions about the labs’ activities and oversight were being unfairly dismissed.
The newly released records include ODNI briefing slides detailing the scope of U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s laboratory network.
DNI TULSI GABBARD PROBES U.S. FUNDING TO MORE THAN 120 BIOLABS AROUND THE WORLD
A bio safety lab where SARS-CoV-2 infectious samples are inactivated is shown at the Penn Center for Research on Coronavirus and Other Emerging Pathogens at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 16, 2021.
One document states that more than 40 laboratories in Ukraine received U.S. funding and housed collections of dangerous bacteria and viruses, some dating back to the Soviet era. The records also show Ukrainian scientists received U.S.-funded training to work with hazardous pathogens and participated in a program focused on handling especially dangerous diseases.
The documents list pathogens studied or stored within the laboratory network, including anthrax, tuberculosis, plague, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, MERS and SARS.
Additional records detail U.S.-funded construction and upgrades at laboratories across Ukraine, including facilities in Kherson, Odesa and western Ukraine. The documents identify engineering firm Black & Veatch as a major contractor and show U.S. taxpayers spent between roughly $1.7 million and $3.5 million on individual laboratory projects.
LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS AFTER SUSPECTED BIOLAB DISCOVERED IN CHINESE NATIONAL’S LAS VEGAS HOME
Newly declassified records released by DNI Tulsi Gabbard reveal details about U.S.-funded biological laboratories around the world, reigniting debate over overseas bioresearch programs. (iStock)
One declassified assessment focuses on a veterinary research laboratory in Kharkiv that received Pentagon funding through the Defense Department’s Biological Threat Reduction Program.
According to the assessment, the facility housed hundreds of samples of dangerous pathogens, including Brucella bacteria, which can cause a disease known as brucellosis. The document warned the lab could become a target of Russian propaganda efforts or be damaged, captured or otherwise compromised during the war.
Another ODNI slide outlines what it describes as a «web of connections» linking Ukrainian laboratories with U.S. government agencies, universities, research organizations and private contractors. The document says U.S. funding supported research on bird flu and other highly infectious viruses in high-security laboratories.
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appeared during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats on March 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Gabbard said the documents demonstrate that the public was not given a full picture of U.S.-backed biological research programs overseas. Critics, however, maintain the facilities were part of long-running public health and threat-reduction efforts designed to secure dangerous pathogens and prevent biological proliferation rather than operate as biological weapons programs.
The declassification is likely to reignite debate over government transparency, gain-of-function research and the scope of U.S.-funded biological research overseas.
tulsi gabbard, medical research, ukraine, cia, viruses
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