Won't 'hide under the bed': House lawmaker defiant after new targeting by Trump
Congressman Eric Swalwell speaking with attendees at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)
November 13, 2025
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) was unfazed by President Donald Trump's newest legal threats against him, he told the panel on MSNBC's "The Weeknight" on Thursday.
This comes as Swalwell, currently considering a bid for California governor, is the latest to be referred to the Justice Department by Trump's controversial housing finance administrator Bill Pulte on barely-supported allegations of mortgage fraud — a go-to accusation that he has also used to target Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.
"Congressman Swalwell ... You put out a statement shortly after this, after this was made public, saying, 'Of course I will not end my lawsuit against him,'" said anchor Symone Sanders. "Your statement seemed defiant. You are resolute, that you are not afraid. You have no fear. And I know earlier this year you noted that you knew you could be a target. Now that this is out there for, and it's been out for a couple of hours, just take us inside your strategy going forward, sir. And have you actually heard from the Justice Department?"
"Well, first, of course, these allegations are false, just like the allegations against Adam Schiff are false and Letitia James are false and Lisa Cook are false," said Swalwell. "And aspoiler alert for you: therewill be allegations next weekagainst somebody that'll befalse."
"No, the Justice Department has not saidanything just through leakedmedia reporting," he continued. "But this isreally about Donald Trump goingafter his political enemies.And no one has been a morevocal critic than me. And asyou mentioned, I have one ofthe only remaining lawsuitsagainst Donald Trump for hisrole on January 6th. I don'twake up every day going to workto fight Donald Trump. I fightfor Californians. He justhappens to get in the way."
"Andif he thinks for one secondthat me or Adam Schiff or TishJames or Lisa Cook are going toback down or hide under the bedor shrink, he is wrong," Swalwell added.