Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on Friday accused former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) of interfering in the 2020 election during a joint press conference on “election integrity.” He criticized the charges as “ridiculous” given the circumstances under which President Trump has been indicted.
“I mean, it’s too rich what Donald Trump and Mike Johnson are telling us about election integrity. It’s like having to listen to a Bonnie and Clyde lecture on bank security. I mean, that’s ridiculous considering they tried to overturn the election in 2020,” Swalwell said in his speech. exterior on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”
At a news conference early Friday at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Johnson touted legislation that would prevent non-citizens from voting illegally.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 already prohibits foreign nationals from voting in federal elections. However, some jurisdictions allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, such as city elections and school board elections.
“They’re already trying to pursue something that’s illegal, but by the way, it’s not illegal,” Swalwell told Cooper about the bill mentioned at the press conference.
The joint appearance comes as Johnson faces pushback from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who wants to resign as speaker of the House. Former President Trump used his press conference to express support for Prime Minister Johnson, saying he is “doing a really good job under very difficult circumstances.”
Rep. Ralph Norman, R.S., told reporters Thursday that Trump’s support for Johnson could help him keep his grip on the gavel.
“It would certainly help if Mr. Trump came out and gave his full support,” said Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus.
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