White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller on Tuesday claimed that Democrats keep \u201cblackmail files\u201d for when it suits them, following a push to oust Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from his seat due to allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe real story here is how the Democrat Party controls its members through blackmail. It\u2019s got a blackmail file on ALL of its politicians, and it uses them to leverage and control them until it\u2019s time to release it,\u201d Miller said during an appearance on Fox News\u2019s \u201cJesse Waters Primetime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is how sick and twisted the Democrat Party is. That\u2019s the next thread we\u2019ve got to pull out here,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Democratic Party did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Miller\u2019s allegations. However, multiple Democrats have stepped forward to condemn Swalwell\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swalwell resigned from Congress earlier Tuesday after reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN late last week alleged that the congressman, once seen as the Democratic front-runner in the California governor\u2019s race, had sexually assaulted a former aide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CNN also reported that several other women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. On Tuesday, another woman, Lonna Drewes, came forward with new allegations, alleging that the former lawmaker drugged, raped and choked her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swalwell (D-Calif.) is under investigation in Los Angeles over allegations of sexual misconduct following Drewes\u2019s new allegation, the county\u2019s district attorney confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department confirmed the investigation is in \u201cpreliminary stages\u201d and \u201congoing, and that it involves a female adult who reported being sexually assaulted by Swalwell in July 2018 in West Hollywood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to Drewes\u2019s new allegations Tuesday, an attorney for Swalwell pushed back against the accusations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCongressman Eric Swalwell categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him,\u201d Sara Azari, Swalwell\u2019s attorney, said in a statement Tuesday, adding he would be pursuing \u201cevery available legal remedy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ansari is also a legal analyst for The Hill\u2019s sister network, NewsNation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some House Republicans have said the lawmaker had a long-standing reputation for inappropriate behavior toward women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery member in Congress knows not to let any young staffer around Swalwell or Matt Gaetz, it\u2019s not a secret there,\u201d former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said during an appearance on ABC\u2019s \u201cThis Week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D) shared similar remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, I\u2019m not surprised, frankly, because there have been rumors after rumors after rumors, his colleague in Washington pretty much said that. That\u2019s what Adam Schiff said, that\u2019s what Nancy Pelosi said,\u201d Brown told ABC 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) denied being aware of any accusations against Swalwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,\u201d Pelosi recently wrote in a statement shared by her communications director on social platform X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,\u201d Pelosi, who is not running for reelection in November, continued in the statement. \u201cAs I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a proclamation on Tuesday setting the date for a special election to fill the remainder of Swalwell\u2019s (D-Calif.) term for Aug. 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n