Swalwell Embraces Conflict in California Gubernatorial Run
As he campaigns for the governorship of California, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell is leaning into his ongoing confrontation with the Trump administration, presenting himself as a leading critic of the former president.
Swalwell’s high-profile disputes with Donald Trump have helped elevate his visibility on the national stage. With the recent announcement of a new Department of Justice investigation into his conduct, Swalwell seems ready to continue emphasizing his contentious relationship with the president.
“Nancy Pelosi chose me to lead the impeachment of a corrupt president. Californians will never kneel,” Swalwell mentioned in a video shared on his website.
California’s current governor, Gavin Newsom, will see his term conclude in 2026.
The Justice Department is investigating Swalwell for mortgage fraud, and there are reports he may also face scrutiny regarding tax fraud and insurance fraud. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing in response to these allegations.
“The only surprise for me is that it took this long for them to come after me,” Swalwell stated after the investigation news broke.
He first entered Congress in 2013 after working as a deputy district attorney in California. He made a brief run for the presidency in 2020 but dropped out after only three months.
In interviews following the DOJ’s announcement, Swalwell recognized his position as a target of the administration’s actions.
“This is very much about Donald Trump going after his political opponents,” he expressed during an interview with MSNBC. “Nobody has been more vocal in criticizing it than I am. I have one of the few remaining cases against Donald Trump regarding his actions on January 6th.”
Swalwell made it clear that he won’t back down. “When Donald Trump interferes with my efforts on behalf of Californians, I will remain steadfast,” he emphasized. “His attempts to intimidate me won’t work, and other colleagues are feeling the same way.”
Despite not making headlines for his congressional record, Swalwell’s opposition to Trump is markedly prominent.
Interestingly, he has seen a decline of 16% in voter support this year, ranking him as one of the most absent members of Congress. He’s mostly aligned with his party, having voted against the Democratic majority only eight times during the current session. Financially, he’s reported raising an impressive yet peculiar $1.4 million in the first three quarters of 2025.
Swalwell hinted at holding “accountability” for private entities that associate with Trump, hoping this would deter similar interactions in the future.
Over the years, Swalwell’s record opposing Trump has been notable, particularly his role as House impeachment manager against Trump in 2021, alongside his active participation on the House Oversight Committee where he’s critiqued presidential policies.
“If next week you hear about another opponent of Donald Trump being investigated, it’s just nonsense,” he noted in a CNN interview. “Sure, I’m one of his loudest critics, and the only lawsuits still active from his presidency are mine and those from January 6th officers.”
The investigation is in its initial stages, with the Justice Department yet to announce details about any potential grand jury meetings. Swalwell’s office did not provide a comment when reached for input.
