Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) proposed that Congress take measures to tackle what he described as an “unleashed” Trump administration.
He penned his concerns in an MSNBC op-ed, pointing to past comments by President-elect Trump, such as his promises to retaliate against political adversaries and his long-standing clashes with the media.
Swalwell referenced a Justice Department Inspector General’s report that unearthed Trump-era records access involving more than 40 congressional staffers, two Democratic lawmakers, and some journalists, including Swalwell himself and then-Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
The Justice Department did not inform the court when it sought access to records belonging to members of Congress.
The Inspector General’s 96-page report ultimately found no breaches of Justice Department internal policies when obtaining lawmakers’ records.
However, it flagged how this practice could impair Congress’s oversight of the executive branch and generate a perception of improper meddling.
Swalwell also took aim at the Supreme Court’s ruling from earlier this year, noting that it extends absolute immunity to presidents for core official actions while presuming all other duties fall under protection, too.
Voicing his dire concerns, he posed the question, “Who can America turn to for checks and balances? To hold up the rule of law? What will a completely unchecked, unleashed and guardrail-free Trump do to his dissenters?”
The representative highlighted the investigation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who avoided repercussions after stepping down while under Ethics Committee scrutiny for alleged misconduct and drug use.
Swalwell made his doubts known about whether lawmakers could defy Trump repeatedly, writing, “By banding together, a half-dozen senators said, ‘Hell no’ and made Gaetz’s path impossible. Do they have it in them to do it again? And again? And again, until the message is received by Trump that they will not rubber stamp America’s path to a dictatorship?”
He also brought Trump’s controversial pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, into focus, stating, “Congress is still the last, best check to stop Kash Patel from carrying out a lawful revenge tour.” Patel’s potential nomination has sparked concerns over possible threats to the FBI’s autonomy.
Swalwell didn’t stop there; he went after Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his active role in governmental matters.
He accused Musk of “horning his way” into decisions while describing a scene where frustrated Republicans were visibly upset by Musk’s behavior.
Swalwell reportedly warned them, “If you let him do this, if he does this and you don’t stand up to him now, he is going to own you for the next Congress.”
The representative also highlighted how Musk’s influence might undermine governance, adding,
“‘Every bill that is on the floor, you’re going to wait around on cots to see what Elon Musk says you are allowed to do.’ And that is no way to represent the people who sent you.”
Meanwhile, Musk, whom Trump tapped to co-lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), made political waves on social media.
He blasted a Republican-backed bill as a “piece of pork” and urged GOP lawmakers to vote against it.
The bill included funding for disaster relief, agricultural aid, and debt limit extensions.
The measure later failed, with both Democrats and several Republicans rejecting the proposal.
Watch Swalwell’s full MSNBC interview here:
Who’s going to uphold the “Rule of Law”. That’s funny coming from him. Maybe if he was on the up and up, didn’t do anything wrong, stayed away from Schiffty, he wouldn’t have anything to worry about. I think Trump is more focused on straightening out the mess the country has turned into first. Maybe then, worry about the traitors.
Just two words. Fang Fang
Don’t take advice from a lying, corrupt, China sympathizing piece of shit like Swallwell.
No one can take Swalwell seriously. He’s pushing the same old tired lie that the Demoncrats actually do.
It’s not revenge. It’s reestablishing Justice!
Rep. Eric Swalwell’s ties to suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang should put a target on his back immediately. His warning seems to be a way of confusing the public of his own problems in government. Mitch McConnell’s Chinese wife should have immediately removed him from Congress. Anyone with a functioning brain knows these actions are open to compromise and cannot be allowed.
Ya gotta wonder what else swallow is trying to deflect attention from besides the obvious fang fang debacle. AFAIK he has never had any ‘sanctions’ taken against him for that, maybe he knows that he might actually be held accountable.
What does Wang-Wang think?