How Swalwell and Gonzales turned scandal into a golden parachute

When a member of Congress announces “resignation effective immediately,” Americans should hear the quiet click of an escape hatch locking behind them. That is exactly what Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) did this week.

Gonzales first framed his exit as a dignified “retirement,” but facing mounting pressure, he reversed course in the dead of night, submitting a formal resignation effective at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, hours before the House was set to vote on his expulsion. Swalwell resigned more plainly in the light of day amid multiple accusations of assault and harassment. Yet both men followed the same cynical script: Deny, downplay, and leave with every benefit and pension dollar intact.