Eric Swalwell to Resign From Congress After Sexual Assault Allegations

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – April 13, 2026

Main Theme: Major political, national, and international news updates, leading with California Democrat Eric Swalwell’s resignation following allegations of sexual assault, escalating US-Iran tensions, updates on a high-profile cruise ship homicide case, reversal of a decision on LGBTQ+ flag at the Stonewall Monument, and new Roblox child safety measures.

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1. Eric Swalwell to Resign From Congress After Sexual Assault Allegations

Key Points:

• Eric Swalwell’s Resignation
  • Rep. Eric Swalwell announces resignation from Congress amid sexual assault allegations by four women, including a former staffer.
  • Swalwell has publicly denied the claims but issues an apologetic statement on social media.
  • The House Ethics Committee was preparing to investigate and Swalwell has also suspended his campaign for governor.

Memorable Quotes:

• [00:12] Eric Swalwell Reporter:

  “Allegations include one former staffer who says he sexually assaulted her on two occasions. The 45-year-old Democrat has repeatedly denied these claims.”

• [00:19] Swalwell announces on X:

  “To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment I’ve made in my past.”

• [00:35] Lisa Lucera:

  “The House Ethics Committee was set to begin investigating the allegations against Swalwell. He dropped his bid for governor yesterday.”

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2. US-Iran Escalations: Naval Blockade & Diplomatic Standoff

Key Points:

• US Military Action

  • US warships are enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports after failed ceasefire talks with Tehran (and Pakistan).
  • The aim is to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

• President Trump’s Response

  • Trump states the blockade will remain and accuses Iran of attempting to blackmail the world.
  • The President refuses to apologize to Pope Leo XIV after criticism over his stance on the conflict.

• Regional Tensions

  • Iran retaliates with threats to target ports of US-aligned countries in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
  • The USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group is being rerouted around Africa to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Memorable Quotes:

• [01:01] President Donald Trump:

  “We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing. They’re really blackmailing the world. We’re not going to let that happen.”

• [01:18] President Donald Trump:

  “Iran is doing absolutely no business and we’re going to keep it that way very easily.”

• [01:31] Lisa Lucera:

  “The USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle East, but Fox News is told is going around the African continent to avoid any attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea.”

• [01:46]

  “President Trump says he will not apologize to Pope Leo XIV after criticizing Leo's opposition to the conflict in Iran, the president lashed out at Leo last night.”

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3. Cruise Ship Homicide: Teen Charged as Adult

Key Points:

• Charges Upgraded
  • A 16-year-old (stepbrother) is charged as an adult in the assault and fatal choking of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in November.
  • Initial juvenile charges replaced with ones carrying a potential life sentence.

Memorable Quotes:

• [02:07] Eben Brown:

  “The teen suspect identified by the U.S. Justice Department by the initials T.H. is Kepner's stepbrother. He’s accused of both sexually assaulting Kepner and choking her to death.”

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4. Stonewall National Monument: Rainbow Flag Restored

Key Points:

• Flag Policy Reversal
  • The Trump administration reverses its prior removal of the rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument.
  • The move follows a lawsuit backed by LGBTQ and historic preservation groups; settlement now awaits judicial approval.

Memorable Quotes:

• [02:40] Lisa Lucera:

  “The Trump administration says a rainbow flag will resume flying on a federal flag pole at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, reversing course after removing it in February.”

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5. Roblox Expands Child Safety Protection

Key Points:

• Enhanced Safeguards
  • Roblox announces new child safety systems including age verification and tiered accounts: Roblox Kids (young children), Roblox Select (ages 9–15), and 16+ accounts.
  • Measures roll out in June, ahead of any legal mandate.

Memorable Quotes:

• [03:09] Dave Baszucki (Roblox CEO):

  “Starting in June, we're doing this well in advance of any requirements by law... Everyone on our platform, once they age check, we’ll put them in the appropriate account, including kids accounts, select accounts or 16 and up accounts and align content with the appropriate age.”

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6. Market Update

• [03:47] Lisa Lucera:

  “The Dow gained 301, the NASDAQ up 280.”

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Timestamps for Reference:

• [00:01] Swalwell resignation & sexual assault allegations
• [00:35] House Ethics Committee & campaign suspension
• [00:51] US Naval blockade of Iran begins
• [01:01] President Trump comments
• [01:23] Iranian threats & military re-routing
• [01:46] Trump and Pope Leo XIV
• [02:07] Cruise ship homicide update
• [02:40] Stonewall rainbow flag reversal
• [03:09] Roblox child safety overhaul
• [03:47] Wall Street update

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Summary Style: Straightforward, crisp, and focused on rapidly unfolding news with a tone reflecting Fox News’ urgency and emphasis on political and world affairs.

Transcript

[Lisa Lucera]

This is the FOX News alert. He will leave office. I'm Lisa Lucera. California Democrat Eric Swalwell says he will resign from Congress after allegations of sexual assault.

[Eric Swalwell Reporter]

Congressman Eric Swalwell has been accused of sexual misconduct by four women. Allegations include one former staffer who says he sexually assaulted her on two occasions. The 45 year old Democrat has repeatedly denied these claims. Last night he made the announcement on X suspending his campaign, writing, quote, to my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes and judgment I've made in my past.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Alex Hogan in Washington. The House Ethics Committee was set to begin investigating the allegations against Wawell. He dropped his bid for governor yesterday. The US Military stopping traffic at Iranian ports after talks with Tehran failed this weekend. But President Trump says a deal is still possible.

[Middle East Correspondent]

US Warships are now enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, not allowing vessels in or out, adding pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

[President Donald Trump]

We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that's what they're doing. They're really blackmailing the world. We're not going to let that happen.

[Middle East Correspondent]

President Trump ordered the blockade following direct talks with Iran and Pakistan over the weekend that failed to produce a permanent ceasefire.

[President Donald Trump]

Iran is doing absolutely no business and we're going to keep it that way very easily.

[Middle East Correspondent]

Iran is threatening to target ports of US Aligned nations along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Amman. And unless the US Is ends its blockade.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Jared Halpern at the White House. The USS George H.W. bush carrier strike group is on its way to the Middle east. But Fox News is told is going around the African continent to avoid any attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea. President Trump says he will not apologize to Pope Leo xiv. After criticizing Leo's opposition to the conflict in Iran, the president lashed out at Leo last night. Leo said the Vatican now the decision to war are rooted in the gospel. America is listening to. Fox News. The teen stepbrother of an 18 year old found dead on a cruise ship as at charges against him upgraded.

[Eben Brown]

Federal prosecutors in Florida are now charging a 16 year old boy as an adult in the killing of 18 year old Anna Kepner aboard a cruise ship last November. Kepner's body was found under a bed by housekeeping staff aboard the Carnival Horizon. The teen suspect identified by the U.S. justice Department by the initials T.H. is Kepner's stepbrother. He's accused of both sexually assaulting Kepner and choking her to death. The teen was initially charged as a juvenile but will now face a life sentence. In Miami, Eben Brown, Fox News.

[Lisa Lucera]

The Trump administration says a rainbow flag will resume flying on a federal flag pole at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, reversing course after removing it in February. The Interior Department revealed the decision in court papers as it agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the LGBTQ and historic preservation groups who sought to block the removal. A judge must still approve the deal. A social media gaming company adding more guardrails after complaints it hasn't been doing enough to protect children.

[Dave Baszucki]

Roblox is expanding its child safety systems starting in June. We're doing this well in advance of any requirements by law, roblox co founder and CEO Dave Buzzucki tells Fox and Friends. Roblox Kids is aimed at younger children, and Roblox select is for users aged 9 to 15. Everyone on our platform, once they age check, we'll put them in the appropriate account, including kids accounts, select accounts or 16 and up accounts and align content with the appropriate age. Users ages are determined using facial analysis.

[Lisa Lucera]

Fox's Jenny Casolo, Wall street The Dow gained 301, the NASDAQ up to 80. I'm Lisa Licera. This is Fox News.