1 00:00:02,120 --> 00:00:05,360 Speaker 1: Hey, that folks. It is Sunday, April twelfth, and a 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: huge political story is now becoming possibly a criminal one. 3 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: Congressman Eric Swalwell, one of the leading candidates for governor 4 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: of California, facing allegations of rape, and now a district 5 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: attorney is asking possibly for more victims to come forward. 6 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ. 7 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 2: Robes. 8 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 1: There is now a criminal investigation into an allegation we 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,160 Speaker 1: are just hearing about of the sexual assault and rape 10 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:38,240 Speaker 1: of a former staff member Robes not just looking into 11 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:41,599 Speaker 1: that matter, but looking into other matters. 12 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:45,880 Speaker 2: Yes, this has become it was, at least in the beginning, 13 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 2: a political nightmare for Eric Swalwell, but this could now become, yes, 14 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 2: a question of whether or not he becomes criminally charged 15 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,600 Speaker 2: in this matter, and as you point out, potentially other 16 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:00,040 Speaker 2: possible incidents, and so, yes. 17 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: Is that there's something they put out? I was surprised 18 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 1: to see. Do they know something we don't know? Is 19 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:06,080 Speaker 1: this just standard? 20 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:08,120 Speaker 2: Fair? And I don't know if this is standard, but 21 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 2: it definitely stood out to a lot of folks. So 22 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 2: we can actually read for you exactly what the Manhattan 23 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 2: District Attorney's office put out They put this out on Saturday, 24 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 2: and they urged survivors and anyone with knowledge of these 25 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: allegations to contact our Special Victim's Division, gave the number there. 26 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 2: Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well equipped 27 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 2: to help you in a trauma informed, survivor's centered manner. 28 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 3: Wow, that I have not looked this. 29 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 2: You point out might be standard operating procedure, but this seems. 30 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:45,199 Speaker 3: Like they know something that there it. 31 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: Is that was a suggestion there that maybe they I 32 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: don't know, maybe that's just the standard language they use. 33 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:53,600 Speaker 1: But again, we're talking about a congressman from the Bay 34 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: Area who was running for governor of California. So reminder, Robes, 35 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: why the hell is Manhattan looking into the guy, because 36 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 1: this is where this incident allegedly took place. 37 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: Yes, the former staffer who basically set this story in 38 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: motion by speaking first to the San Francisco Chronicle and 39 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 2: then to CNN, she has said that she was raped 40 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 2: by Eric Swallwell in a Manhattan hotel room in twenty 41 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 2: twenty four, and that is why charges are being considered 42 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 2: against the congressman in New York. 43 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: And he's been quiet so far this weekend. He told 44 00:02:28,639 --> 00:02:31,040 Speaker 1: us what on Friday, when the video and all this 45 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: came out, he was going to spend time with friends 46 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 1: and family over the weekend. So we're standing by and waiting. 47 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:37,679 Speaker 1: I guess, I guess what everybody's waiting for is for 48 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 1: him to say he's getting out of the race. 49 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 2: Yes, But when reporters pressed his attorney on this, this 50 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,639 Speaker 2: attorney said, he's busy running a gubernatorial campaign. 51 00:02:44,680 --> 00:02:46,280 Speaker 3: That was their response, at. 52 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,799 Speaker 2: Least as official as it gets, because that is what. 53 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 3: His attorney said, Did you have a rally this weekend? 54 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 3: It probably wasn't the right tone given everything that's going on. 55 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 1: It's not that's too dismissive the seriousness of what we're 56 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: talking about now. 57 00:02:57,760 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 3: Busy running a campaign. 58 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:01,079 Speaker 1: He didn't brush up against somebody at a bar. He's 59 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 1: being accused of a violent assault. That's not and he's 60 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 1: too busy with just fromround me of you know, I 61 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: shouldn't use that comparison, but that, come on, man, that 62 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 1: tone is not right. 63 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 3: It's not right. It certainly isn't. 64 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 2: And look, these stories are mounting, and and look, perhaps 65 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 2: the Manhattan DA knows something. There are videos circulating, there 66 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 2: are audio tapes being circulated. None of them have been authenticated, 67 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:30,240 Speaker 2: but certainly there's bubbling, right. There are people who have things, 68 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 2: who've seen things, who've recorded things, and they're now starting 69 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: to be put out on social media unverified, But certainly 70 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 2: there's enough other. 71 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 3: Just noise that's percolating. 72 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:42,360 Speaker 2: Now. 73 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 1: Some of that noise. We need to be clear here. 74 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: Some of this other noise we're talking about is not 75 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: criminal noise. This is stuff about bad behavior and a 76 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: boy behaving badly, if you will, and it's unfortunately we 77 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 1: use that sometimes boys behaving badly. But some of the 78 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: stuff that's out there is just trying to show him 79 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: as being. 80 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 3: A alomanizer who cheese on his wife. 81 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: And what's the way use a smirmy smarty Oh well 82 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: he's smarmy. 83 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 2: Smarmy, that's marmie. Yes, that that's just sleazy smarmy stuff. 84 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: Is what's being circulated. 85 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: That's what they're trying to highlight there, at least bud Robe. 86 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,000 Speaker 1: There is a separator and all the stuff we have 87 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: been talking about with him, and that is this young 88 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: woman who worked on his staff back in twenty starting 89 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 1: in twenty nineteen, Robes. Her allegations are something else. This 90 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 1: isn't just a little a playboy. 91 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 2: He likes to. 92 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: Drink and likes to cheat on his wife and run 93 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: around and find young No, no, no, no, no, we are 94 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 1: she is describing. And we discussed this robes in writing 95 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: and putting in headlines, and we worked in the industry 96 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: a long time, and sometimes they like to put sexual 97 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: assault in the headline. Sometimes. The even we've been in 98 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 1: television news and big networks, big shows don't like the 99 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: word rape, like to use sexual assault. Robes there is 100 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: It's significant to make the damn distinction because rape is 101 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: a very specific suggestion and alex gation that goes beyond 102 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 1: you can grab somebody's butt and call that a sexual assault. 103 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 1: This is an allegation of rape, and that distinction needs 104 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 1: to continually be made here. 105 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 2: Yes, because this former staffer describes nothing short of rape. 106 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 3: When she talks about that night. 107 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 2: Now, she says she doesn't remember most of the night 108 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: and the way she put it to CNN. She says 109 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: she remembers flashes where Swalwell was on top of her 110 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 2: and wouldn't get off. She says she remembers trying to 111 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:32,040 Speaker 2: push him off. She remembers telling him no and he continued, 112 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 2: So that is a rape, she describes. 113 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: It, But she isn't she describing She doesn't remember everything, 114 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 1: but she says she remembers enough and the stuff she's recalling, right, 115 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: isn't she specifically saying I remember saying no, I remember 116 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: trying to. 117 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 2: Bite this guy off me and the other points around 118 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 2: this specific incident that this former staffer describes. And CNN 119 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 2: corroborated this, as did the San Francisco Chronicle, but they 120 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 2: said two family members and a friend, so free people 121 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 2: said that that this woman told them about the alleged 122 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:07,440 Speaker 2: assault within the days surrounding it. And they also said 123 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 2: that they have a text message where she sent to 124 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 2: two friends, I was sexually assaulted on Thursday by Eric. 125 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 2: So at the time the alleged incident occurred, she told people, 126 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 2: and she specifically named her accuser. She also gave these 127 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 2: news outlets medical records detailing her getting an STD test, 128 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 2: a pregnancy test, and she claimed she had bruises and 129 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:32,760 Speaker 2: she was bleeding. 130 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 3: So she describes a fairly violent assault. 131 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:41,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, and then there was twenty four statute of limitations 132 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 1: is not an issue right now, right, so they could 133 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: go So, yes, we're talking about a guy who was 134 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: what a month away for finding out possibly if he 135 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,599 Speaker 1: is going to be Yeah, they're going to start voting 136 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 1: in about a month out in California, the leg right, Yeah, 137 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: and then the election is June's second, and then he 138 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: possibly was on his way to becoming the next governor 139 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: of California. We talked about eight he might get charged, 140 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: criminally charged with something. Now, this is a stunning. 141 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 2: Look. 142 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: We talk about downfalls and all this stuff and politics 143 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: and ropes from that to that. In a matter of 144 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 1: seventy two hours. This all happened on Friday. 145 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 3: It's remarkable. 146 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 2: Also stunning in all of this was the joint statement 147 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 2: that members of his own staff, the senior staff members, 148 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 2: came together from his congressional office and from his gubernatorial 149 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 2: campaign and they released a statement that, frankly is telling 150 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: and I don't know how else to put it. 151 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 3: We can read it for you in its entirety. Just 152 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 3: take a listen. As leaders of teams working for Eric. 153 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 2: Swalwell, we're horrified by the recent reporting in the San 154 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: Francisco Chronicle and by CNN. We stand with our former 155 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 2: colleague and the other women who have come forward. We 156 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 2: believe you should stand with them too. The behavior detailed 157 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those 158 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,520 Speaker 2: serving in public office, and betrays the trust of all Californians. 159 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 2: We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance 160 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: and stability. Now more than ever, we are focused on 161 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:20,440 Speaker 2: supporting our colleagues during this challenging time. Any decision of 162 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 2: staff members to remain in their roles in the interim 163 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 2: should not be viewed as support for Eric Swolwell. We 164 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 2: recognize that not everyone, in particular our junior staff, can 165 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 2: immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk 166 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 2: or consequence. Our responsibility now is to them. We, more 167 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 2: than he, understand that we have obligations to the people 168 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 2: we lead and to the constituents of California's fourteenth Congressional District. 169 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 2: Those of us that remain on staff do so for 170 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 2: the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those 171 00:08:54,080 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 2: obligations are fulfilled as possible. 172 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: Ouch now WO I applaud and I would like to 173 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 1: hire whoever wrote that statement. It was perfectly said. They 174 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,599 Speaker 1: are actually and I'm sure they're not necessarily working with 175 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: him that much. He's out in California. Maybe they're back 176 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: in DC. Who knows how this is going down, But 177 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 1: they're saying to their constituents, you're our constituents, even though 178 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: the guy you voted for might have let you down, 179 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 1: we're actually in this office working for you. I think 180 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:24,199 Speaker 1: that was the perfect way to say it. I think 181 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,960 Speaker 1: I'm not even upset with them for in the midst 182 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: of all this madness, and what's most important was a 183 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: possible criminal charge that yeah, there's a reality here and 184 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: we have jobs. 185 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I. 186 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 2: Hadn't thought about all the people who spent tireless hours 187 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 2: working for him, and this is their livelihood, this is 188 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 2: their income. Now all of that not only is at 189 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 2: risk in jeopardy, but also their reputations of just being 190 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 2: associated with him, And so they're basically making a very 191 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 2: clear separation from him and saying just because we work 192 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 2: in his office doesn't mean we support them. 193 00:09:57,679 --> 00:09:59,440 Speaker 1: It's well done. I thought it was really well done. 194 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 1: And then you know what, it's maybe reassuring to the 195 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 1: people in that district as well. He's not currently work. 196 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:07,599 Speaker 1: You could even argue he hasn't been focused on the 197 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: district because he's trying to become governor. Of California. Okay, 198 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 1: I loved how they put all of this. We are 199 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:18,319 Speaker 1: actually working for the district, we have a responsibility. 200 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:18,760 Speaker 2: We got you. 201 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 3: That makes a lot of sense. 202 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 2: And look, they have seen where everything is you said 203 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 2: in seventy two hours. That really is stunning thinking about 204 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 2: this was just two days ago. But pretty much damn well, 205 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 2: every single person in politics has not only distanced themselves 206 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 2: from him, but calling for him to obviously end his 207 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 2: gubernatorial campaign, which he doesn't show any signs of doing, 208 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 2: by the way. And look we didn't even reference, of course, 209 00:10:45,520 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 2: on Friday, we should point out very specifically, he did 210 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 2: a video to camera and completely rejected and denied all 211 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,199 Speaker 2: of these allegations, saying, these allegations of sexual assault are 212 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 2: flat false. 213 00:10:57,640 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 3: They're absolutely false. 214 00:10:59,080 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 2: They did not happen, and they have never happened, and 215 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 2: I will fight them with everything that I have. 216 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:06,400 Speaker 1: And we ain't heard from him since though, because a 217 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: lot more has come out, a lot more detail has 218 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 1: come out, and Robes, there. 219 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:10,679 Speaker 2: Is not a. 220 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 1: You say that you said he's losing support. I haven't 221 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:21,440 Speaker 1: even heard a measured response or statement from somebody just 222 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: saying give it a beat, let's investigate it's all get 223 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,280 Speaker 1: out now. We want nothing to do with you. I 224 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 1: haven't even heard just a hey, let's give it some time, we. 225 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 3: Need to look into this. And Nope, not you know 226 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 3: what that's so telling. 227 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 2: Usually there's someone who says, let's wait for police to 228 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:41,839 Speaker 2: do their job, for the investigation to go forward before 229 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 2: we make any rushes to judgment. No one is even 230 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:48,079 Speaker 2: asking folks for a time or caution or just a 231 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 2: little perspective. 232 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 3: Nothing. It's all bye bye, bye bye. 233 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:55,800 Speaker 2: And it's not just about his race for governor. No, no, no, 234 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 2: when we come back, we will tell you about what 235 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 2: may happen to his congressional position. And welcome back everyone 236 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 2: to this episode of Amy and TJ. Yes, we have 237 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 2: been talking about four days now, the political fallout for 238 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 2: California Congressman Eric Swollwell, who is the leading Democratic candidate 239 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 2: for governor of California. That election begins, or at least 240 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 2: voting begins in less than a month now. Of course, 241 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 2: growing calls for him to drop out of the gubernatorial race. 242 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 2: But there is a criminal investigation now, the Manhattan District 243 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:46,040 Speaker 2: Attorney's Office launching that investigation into that claim of rape. 244 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 2: Young woman says a former staffer of his says it 245 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 2: happened in a New York City hotel room in twenty 246 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 2: twenty four, and so as we're hearing for folks to 247 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 2: say drop out of the race, he is also a 248 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:02,640 Speaker 2: US congressman, and Congress has been on spring break Easter 249 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 2: break for the last two weeks. They reconvene on Monday, correct, 250 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 2: and we already have at least one congress woman. 251 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,079 Speaker 3: Her name is Anna Paulina Luna. She's from Florida. 252 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 2: She is a Republican, and she put out on X 253 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: over the weekend. As soon as she gets back, the 254 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 2: first thing she's going to do is file a motion 255 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,440 Speaker 2: to expel Swallowell from Congress. 256 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: I mean, okay, we'll see how far this goes at 257 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 1: some butt. Right now, it's fresh on everybody's mind. It's horrific. 258 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 1: In the headlines, people are talking about it, so frankly, 259 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: other politicians want to make sure with those headlines they 260 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: get separated from this guy. Understood. They are really hesitant 261 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 1: to kick out one of their own in Congress. 262 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 2: I know, we initially heard some folks are going to 263 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:52,880 Speaker 2: bring censure. There are different ways to punish lawmakers, but yes, 264 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,800 Speaker 2: to actually expel a lawmaker from Congress. 265 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 3: That is as serious as it gets. 266 00:13:57,440 --> 00:13:59,040 Speaker 1: And I know in the hit I can't remember the 267 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: last one, and then the history, it's got to be 268 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:03,480 Speaker 1: a single digits. It's got to be on one hand 269 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,199 Speaker 1: the number of times this just happened in Robes. I 270 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 1: kind of I really do understand that, because you don't 271 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 1: want to overturn the will of the voters. They put 272 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 1: this guy in. This is their guy. If they got 273 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,720 Speaker 1: a problem with him, let them vote them out. We 274 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:17,119 Speaker 1: shouldn't do it on their behalf. 275 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 3: All right. 276 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 2: Well, according to the Internet six members only six members 277 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 2: of the US House of Representatives and one Senator have 278 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 2: ever been expelled in US history. The most recent was 279 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 2: I forgot about this, George Santos from New York in 280 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three for fraud and campaign finances. This recent, yes, 281 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 2: and then James traffickan from Ohio Democrat in two thousand 282 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 2: and two for corruption. Michael Myers, well that's a name. 283 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 2: A Democrat in Pennsylvania in nineteen eighty for bribery. 284 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 1: Okay, Well, these after post convictions that I'm not sure 285 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,120 Speaker 1: traffic can't for whatever reason I think, was. 286 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 3: Corruption, fraud and campaign. 287 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:01,080 Speaker 1: Finally, it's rare because what happens then Robes, It's like, oops, 288 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: they are they going to come after me for any 289 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: little thing I do? You don't want to do that? 290 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 3: And Robes. 291 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 1: How many members of Congress do we know of right 292 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: now are facing something pretty serious or. 293 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 3: Have done something similar. Let's just be honest, but. 294 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: We got a handful. We talk about the numbers in Congress. Okay, 295 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: let's play this. What did they do last time? Redistricting 296 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 1: Texas wants to do it now? California do it now? 297 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 1: In another state? Trying to balance it out? Okay, you 298 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:26,720 Speaker 1: want to kick out one of our Democrats. You know what, 299 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: there's a poorly behaving Republican over here. So now you're 300 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: going to start messing with the numbers to kick each 301 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:36,280 Speaker 1: other out to balance your numbers. Robes, that's going to 302 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 1: be a tough hill to climb. But it's also going 303 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: to be difficult right now to be in Congress in 304 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: a mid term election year and said, yeah, a guy 305 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: accused a rape and I voted to keep him in Congress. 306 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, you can't sit on the sidelines, and you don't 307 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 2: want to be on the wrong side of things. That 308 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:54,080 Speaker 2: is certainly true record, Dave, I had not even thought of. 309 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 2: Of course, the balance of the House is more important 310 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 2: than any one congressman and any one young former staff 311 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 2: who claimed she was raped by him. That's just the 312 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 2: truth of the matter, as sad as it is. 313 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: What was the President talking about not long ago one 314 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: guy was Member Cony's was really really ill and that 315 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: he was only given this horrible diagnosis and they thought 316 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: he might die, and the President stepped in, we don't 317 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: need him to die because I need his vote. 318 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 3: You remember that, say that was recent, This was in 319 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 3: the last few weeks. 320 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: Yes, so that's what I'm saying, Ropes, It's not so 321 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: sure they gonna kick one of the people. 322 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: Out, by the way, when we were talking about just 323 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 2: well and to your point about how important the balance 324 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 2: of Congress is and why for that reason alone, probably 325 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 2: we don't see expulsions of congressmen and women. 326 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:35,760 Speaker 3: Do you know for the I said there were six, 327 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 3: you had to go back. 328 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 2: To eighteen sixty one for the other three members because 329 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 2: they were expelled for supporting the Confederacy. That's how I 330 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 2: just for perspective, that rises to the level that is 331 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:51,520 Speaker 2: where we are, and that's how high of a bar. 332 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 2: Sometimes things have to be said. And how far we 333 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 2: had to go back to see a single digit number 334 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 2: of congressmen and women face expulsion. 335 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: But we wait to hear from him when we're going 336 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: to hear it. He is not just running a campaign 337 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:08,360 Speaker 1: at all right now. He's finding a defense attorney right now. 338 00:17:08,400 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 1: He is managing his family, the immediate one in the house, 339 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: but he is managing in laws, He's managing grandparents, He's 340 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 1: managing aunts and uncles and everybody else. He's managing his kids, 341 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:23,400 Speaker 1: school teachers, all of these people are impacted now by 342 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 1: what's going on. He is not running for California governor 343 00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:26,880 Speaker 1: right now. 344 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:30,200 Speaker 3: You know, you don't think about it. 345 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 2: It's so interesting you put that because you think about 346 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 2: him being political and him thinking about his business, and 347 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 2: imagine him as a husband, a father, a son in law. 348 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 2: All of those things are happening, and those I'm sure 349 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 2: have become suddenly way more important than any. 350 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:50,680 Speaker 3: Political career he thought he had. 351 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 2: That is, there's a human element to this that you 352 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 2: know is going on behind the scenes. But obviously this 353 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 2: story is far far from over. Congress back in tomorrow 354 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 2: that will be a telling time. Will he even be 355 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 2: in DC at that point, will he even come back? 356 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 2: You're looking at me like, hell, now, how is. 357 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 1: You going to show his face right now in the 358 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: halls of Congress. You can't do that. He's going to 359 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:15,920 Speaker 1: be sitting at a table alone in the lunch room. 360 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: I mean, what is he supposed to do it he 361 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: comes back, He's got other things to handle right now. 362 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:21,479 Speaker 1: And Robes in the midst of all this, and this 363 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 1: conversation we're having is always robes that he said, she said, 364 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: these about the balance of power, about men behaving badly, 365 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: and about alcohol. Rose, there's a different conversation. And we know, 366 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: as you're listening here, there's a conversation you're probably having 367 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:39,520 Speaker 1: at home or maybe with your friends, with your girlfriends 368 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 1: in particular, and maybe some people are having with their daughters. Robes. 369 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,880 Speaker 1: That's a very difficult conversation that you and I were 370 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: very much interested in getting into. 371 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 2: Yes, and so please, as we wrap up this episode, 372 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 2: look for our next one, because we are going to 373 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:59,200 Speaker 2: be talking about this issue of he said, she said, 374 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,680 Speaker 2: and and how we feel about it, how the law 375 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,719 Speaker 2: may be changing around it, and yes, what we're telling 376 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,399 Speaker 2: our daughters. So look for that. But In the meantime, 377 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 2: thank you for listening to us. We always appreciate you. 378 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:13,760 Speaker 2: I'm made roboch alongside TJ. 379 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:15,640 Speaker 3: Holmes. We will talk to you very soon.