As he embarks on a campaign to become California’s next governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has leaned into his latest dispute with the Trump administration, presenting himself as the president’s “most outspoken critic.”
Throughout his time in Congress, highly publicized run-ins with President Donald Trump have elevated Swalwell’s national prominence. He seems ready to continue this pattern, consistently emphasizing his conflicts with the president as the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed a new inquiry into him this month.
“Nancy Pelosi chose me to spearhead the impeachment of a corrupt president. Californians will never yield,” Swalwell stated in a video on his website.
California’s current governor, Gavin Newsom, faces term limits in 2026.
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The DOJ initiated an investigation into Swalwell concerning alleged mortgage fraud and, according to NBC’s reporting, might also be under scrutiny for tax and insurance fraud. Swalwell denies any misconduct.
“My only surprise is that it took him so long to target me,” Swalwell expressed in a statement following the investigation’s announcement.
Swalwell initially entered Congress in 2013 after working as a county deputy district attorney in California from 2006 to 2012. He briefly campaigned for president in 2020 but withdrew just three months after beginning his campaign.
In media appearances since the DOJ’s probe was announced, Swalwell has embraced his position as an administration target.
“This is truly about Donald Trump targeting his political adversaries. No one has been a more outspoken critic than myself. I maintain one of the few remaining lawsuits against Donald Trump regarding his involvement in Jan. 6,” Swalwell noted in an MSNBC interview, referencing ongoing legal action concerning whether Trump incited protesters to breach the U.S. Capitol building in 2021.
“I won’t alter my actions in opposing Donald Trump when he obstructs my efforts to advocate for Californians,” Swalwell affirmed. “I won’t be intimidated by Donald Trump’s attempts, and his tactics aren’t effective with other targeted colleagues.”
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In an X post, Swalwell placed himself alongside other Democrats facing similar DOJ charges.
“Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the many more to come — I refuse to live in fear in what was once the world’s most free nation,” Swalwell declared.
His opposition to Trump is notable, even though his record in the 119th Congress isn’t particularly striking.
Notably, Swalwell has missed 16% of his votes since the year’s start, ranking him as the 10th-most-absent House member. He rarely diverges from his party, having voted against a majority of Democrats only eight times since the session began. His fundraising efforts this year have been decent but not exceptional, with $1.4 million reported in the first three 2025 quarters.
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However, Swalwell’s long-standing opposition to Trump is significant.
As mentioned in his video, Swalwell served as a House impeachment manager against Trump in 2021 and, besides his lawsuit, has used his position on the House Oversight Committee to critique the president’s policies and conduct.
“Next week, when we learn about another Donald Trump opponent being investigated, it will also be absurd,” Swalwell stated in a CNN interview. “I am certainly one of Donald Trump’s most vocal critics. I have the only lawsuit that survived his presidency — myself and other Jan. 6 officers.”
The Swalwell investigation is in its early stages. The DOJ has not indicated if or when a grand jury trial will be pursued. Swalwell’s office did not respond to a comment request.
