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In announcing his candidacy to become California's next governor, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., embraced his latest clash with the Trump administration by touting himself as the president's “most vocal critic.”
Throughout his congressional career, notable clashes with President Donald Trump have given Swalwell a national profile. He appears poised to continue the streak, repeatedly emphasizing his tensions with the president. Ministry of Justice (Man United) announced a new investigation into him this month.
“Nancy Pelosi chose me to lead the impeachment of a corrupt president. Californians will never bend the knee,” Swalwell said. in the video posted on my website.
The current governor of California, Gavin Newsom limited in duration in 2026.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has filed to become California's next governor. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into Swalwell for mortgage fraud and may also be under investigation for tax fraud and insurance fraud, according to NBC. Swalwell denies any wrongdoing.
“The only thing that surprises me is that it took him so long to come after me,” Swalwell said in a statement following news of the investigation.
Swalwell first came to Congress in 2013 after serving as a deputy district attorney in California from 2006 to 2012. He briefly ran for president in 2020, but withdrew just three months after filing his bid.
In interviews with the media after the Justice Department announced the investigation, Swalwell acknowledged his role as an administration target.
“What we're really talking about is Donald Trump going after his political enemies. No one was a more vocal critic than me. I have one of the few remaining lawsuits against Donald Trump for his role in January 6th,” Swalwell said in an interview with MSNBC, referring to awaiting trial on whether Trump encouraged protesters to storm the US Capitol building in 2021.
“I'm not going to change anything about what I do to stand up to Donald Trump when he stops me from fighting for Californians,” Swalwell said. “I’m not going to cut one iota because Donald Trump is trying to intimidate me, and it’s not working with the other colleagues he’s going after.”
Unearthed records reveal Swalwell campaign's “bizarre inconsistency” in payments to California man.
Highly visible clashes with President Donald Trump have given Swalwell national profile. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
In a message to X, Swalwell included himself among other Democrats facing similar charges from the Justice Department.
“Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and so many others, I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world,” Swalwell said.
His opposition to Trump stands out even if his record in the 119th Congress is not conspicuous.
Notably, Swalwell missed 16% of his votes year-to-date, making him the 10th-most absent House member. He rarely breaks with the party, voting against the Democratic majority just eight times since the start of the session. It also hasn't made much of a splash in fundraising this year, reporting a solid but unremarkable $1.4 million for the first three quarters of 2025.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., pictured during the hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
But Swalwell's decades-long history against Trump stands out.
As mentioned in his video, Swalwell served as the House impeachment manager for Trump in 2021 and, in addition to his lawsuit, used his position on the House Oversight Committee to criticize the president's policies and behavior.
“Next week, when we hear about someone else who is opposed to investigating Donald Trump, that will also be nonsense,” Swalwell said in an interview with CNN. “Of course, I am one of Donald Trump's most vocal critics. I have the only claim that survived his becoming president – me and other officers on January 6.”
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The investigation into Swalwell is in its early stages. The Justice Department has not announced whether or when it will hold a jury trial. Swalwell's office did not respond to a request for comment.
