Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos is again drawing attention online after posting claims about alleged misconduct in the “cages” beneath House office buildings, invoking a long-running Capitol Hill rumor mill as sexual misconduct allegations surrounding Rep. Eric Swalwell continue to roil Washington.
In a lengthy post on X, Santos again claimed that while serving in Congress, he learned of activity occurring in what he described as “the ‘cages’ which are the storage rooms in the basement of the House office buildings.” He said he reported concerns to House Administration Chairman Brian Steil, but alleged no action was taken.
Santos then went on to list several lawmakers, including Eric Swalwell, he said were the subject of “rumors and or allegations” involving “lewd or alleged sexual misconduct-like behavior” with staff or reporters, though he provided no evidence for the claims and acknowledged he had not investigated them himself.
What happened to Eric Swalwell?
The post came as Swalwell faces mounting scrutiny after multiple women accused the California Democrat of sexual assault and misconduct, allegations he has denied. The accusations prompted Swalwell to suspend his campaign for California governor and sparked renewed calls for his resignation from Congress.
Among the other lawmakers Santos singled out was Rep. Nancy Mace, who has previously faced public scrutiny over her personal relationships and allegations involving workplace conduct, though no criminal wrongdoing has been established.
Santos also named Rep. Tony Gonzales, who has separately faced ethics-related criticism in recent years but has not been charged with sexual misconduct.
What are the Capitol ‘cages?’
Santos’ reference to the Capitol’s so-called “cages” revives a familiar Washington conspiracy talking point. The “cages” are a real part of the House office complex: secure basement storage compartments used by members of Congress to store furniture, documents, and equipment. For years, rumors have circulated online and among political gossip circles alleging the rooms are used for secretive or inappropriate activity, though no credible evidence has substantiated such claims.
The remarks also come from a source with a deeply compromised reputation. Santos, the former New York Republican congressman whose fabricated résumé and criminal fraud case made him one of the most notorious figures in recent congressional history, was expelled from the House in 2023 after a damning ethics investigation and later pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges. He became just the sixth member ever expelled from the chamber.
Santos has previously referenced the so-called House “cages” in multiple posts and media appearances dating back to his time in Congress, describing them as basement storage areas in House office buildings where he claimed he heard rumors of inappropriate or sexual activity among staff and lawmakers.
He has repeated these assertions several times since leaving office, often framing them as things he was told rather than personally investigated, and has used the term in a sensational way that blends real House storage facilities with unverified allegations.
Still, Santos’ comments have circulated widely online as the Swalwell scandal intensifies and lawmakers in both parties grapple with questions about congressional accountability and workplace conduct. No official evidence has emerged to support Santos’ broader claims regarding misconduct in the House office basement or involving the members he named.
Published: Apr 13, 2026 03:24 pm