This week brought an unexpected series of developments on Capitol Hill, as two members of the House of Representatives announced plans to resign within an hour of each other, amid heightened scrutiny over lawmakers’ conduct.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said in a statement posted Monday that he would step down, though he did not specify a timeline for his departure. His announcement followed multiple reports in recent days alleging a pattern of misconduct, including claims of sexual harassment and assault. Those allegations have not been independently verified, but based on the reporting online as well as a very damning press conference earlier today by another alleged victim, he may just be lucky if resigning from Congress is the worst thing that happens to him.
Separately, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) also indicated he would resign following calls for his expulsion. The controversy surrounding Gonzales includes reports about a past relationship with a staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles, as well as additional allegations reported by the San Antonio Express-News involving inappropriate communications. Those claims likewise remain unverified, but…he is resigning, so there’s that.
Though neither Gonzales nor Swalwell indicated when their last day would be, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) indicated on X Tuesday that she “received word that Swalwell has begun the internal process of switching his staff over to the Clerk of the House. His resignation will be incoming shortly. Same with Tony.”
With Gonzales and Swalwell announcing plans to step down, attention has shifted to the status of other lawmakers facing scrutiny, including Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Ill.). and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.).
Cherfilus-McCormick has faced allegations tied to the misuse of federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to prior reporting, she was accused of improperly obtaining and using funds connected to FEMA programs, including claims that the money was used in part to support her 2021 congressional campaign. The status and outcome of those allegations remain subject to ongoing review.
In addition to scrutiny from the Department of Justice, the House Ethics Committee has been reviewing the matter. The committee announced in March that an adjudicatory subcommittee found multiple counts in a Statement of Alleged Violations had been substantiated.
Calls for potential disciplinary action have followed, with Luna among those raising concerns. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about the possibility of expulsion as the situation continues to develop, saying:
“I have been a zealous guardian of due process around here,” Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. “I do think certainly on Cherfilus-McCormick, the Ethics Committee has gone through all of its processes, and they found some alarming facts. I think the facts are indisputable at this point, and so I believe it’ll be the consensus of this body that she should be expelled. I mean, that certainly rises to the level that’s needed.”
Politico reported that the House Ethics Committee is expected to meet next week to determine its recommendation regarding Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Even if the panel does not recommend expulsion, lawmakers could still pursue action on the House floor.
For her part, Cherfilus-McCormick arrogantly proclaimed that she had no intention of resigning, but Luna made it clear she plans on making sure the compromised Democrat is gone one way or another:
You stole money, and you’re saying there’s no due process? They found you guilty of 25 violations alone.
Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to lie; however, it is illegal to steal money. I look forward to voting to expel you, McCormick.
Ouch.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House and the Pentagon received harrowing news late Sunday night that no administration ever wants to hear during active combat. At approximately 11:03 p.m. ET, three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over the skies of Kuwait. In a shocking twist, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the loss was not caused by the enemy, but by a catastrophic “friendly fire” incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses.
The incident occurred as U.S. and allied forces were working to intercept a massive barrage of hostile Iranian drones and missiles launched toward regional targets.
Despite the destruction of three highly advanced aircraft, the story of the night is the miraculous survival of the crews.
The Ejection: All six aircrew members successfully ejected from their doomed aircraft before impact.
The Recovery: CENTCOM reported that the pilots were swiftly recovered by search and rescue teams. They are currently in stable condition and safely out of harm’s way.
Material Setback: The loss of three dual-role Strike Eagles represents a significant material loss, but officials are emphasizing that the lives of the “American heroes” are what matter most.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, addressed the nation in a tense midnight briefing: “I am grateful for the safety of the crews, and we know that this was not from hostile enemy fire. We are investigating the failure of IFF (Identification Friend-or-Foe) protocols with our Kuwaiti allies.”
As the news broke, the Iranian regime’s state-controlled media immediately attempted to claim credit for the downing of the jets, hoping for a much-needed propaganda victory. U.S. officials were quick to dismantle these “pathetic lies.”
“Iran is desperate,” one senior official stated. “Their air defenses are decimated, their navy is razed, and their military is burning. They need to lie to their people because they cannot face the reality of Operation Epic Fury.”
The investigation will focus on why the sophisticated, American-manufactured Patriot air defense system operated by Kuwait failed to recognize the F-15Es, leading to the unthinkable “blue-on-blue” disaster.
Under the staunch leadership of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Armed Forces remain undeterred. The Trump administration has made it absolutely clear that the Iranian regime’s days of terror sponsorship and nuclear blackmail are over.
Targeting the Source: U.S. forces are systematically destroying missile production facilities and command nodes.
Decimating Defenses: The bulk of Iran’s air defenses have already been neutralized in the first 14 days of the campaign.
America First Resolve: President Trump reaffirmed that while this incident is a somber reminder of the “fog of war,” the ultimate goal of neutralizing the world’s leading terror state remains unchanged.
“The bravery of our recovered pilots and the unwavering resolve of the U.S. military guarantee that Iran’s terror reign is finished,” the White House stated. “We will not allow a tragic error to slow the march of justice.”
The 2026 conflict has reached a critical flashpoint. As the investigation into the Kuwaiti friendly fire incident begins, the U.S. military is doubling down on its precision strikes inside Iranian territory. With 5% economic growth and energy dominance fueling the war machine, the Trump administration enters the third week of Operation Epic Fury with undeniable momentum.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) added, “Anybody who doubts American resolve after tonight doesn’t understand the heart of our military. We protect our own, and we finish the mission.”