Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suggested on Monday that Democrats could use congressional power to scrutinize not only federal agencies but also private citizens who worked with President Donald Trump if the party regains control of Congress.
Speaking on CNN, Swalwell declared that subpoenas and investigations would extend beyond government figures.
“Accountability is coming. It’s all coming out,” he said.
The remarks came on the heels of a major Justice Department (DOJ) move.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice, following years of controversy over his handling of the Trump-Russia investigation.
The indictment coincided with warnings from Trump, who had publicly urged the department to take action against Comey, citing his 2020 congressional testimony and alleged misrepresentations before the FISA Court.
Swalwell’s comments suggest Democrats are preparing for aggressive oversight if they regain the majority, potentially extending investigations beyond Washington.
He pointed to college campuses, entertainment companies and law firms as examples of “private actors” who could face scrutiny for working with the Trump administration.
His remarks echoed broader Democratic calls for what they describe as accountability, though critics say such moves would amount to political retribution.
Trump delivered sharp criticism of the DOJ and Attorney General Pam Bondi last week, accusing them of moving too slowly in a now-deleted post.
He reminded supporters that the statute of limitations on Comey’s 2020 testimony was nearing expiration, calling on Bondi’s team to act swiftly against his political adversaries.
The dynamic between Swalwell and FBI Director Kash Patel has also become increasingly contentious.
Patel recently authored a book labeling 60 officials as “government gangsters” who, in his view, abused their power.
Both Swalwell and California Sen. Adam Schiff (D) appear at the top of that list.
During a recent hearing, Swalwell pressed Patel on whether he would recuse himself from decisions involving those individuals.
Patel declined and countered with sharp criticism of Swalwell’s congressional career, according to The Hill.
The White House joined the fray by revisiting a past ethics inquiry into Swalwell’s ties to suspected Chinese spy Christina Fang.
Though no charges were filed and the investigation was closed, administration officials used it to underscore their skepticism of Swalwell’s credibility, The Gateway Pundit reports.
Observers note that Comey’s indictment is a rare case of legal accountability reaching a top federal official.
The development adds weight to Trump’s long-standing claims that past investigations into him were built on deception.
At the same time, Swalwell’s vow of broad oversight underscores how partisan battles may shape the next Congress.
Conservatives warn that expanding congressional probes into private citizens represents a dangerous escalation.
They argue that Democrats are signaling an intent to punish political opponents and discourage cooperation with Republican administrations.
For now, the DOJ has not revealed whether more prosecutions are imminent.
Officials insist that due process will guide future decisions, even as political rhetoric on both sides grows more heated.
The convergence of Comey’s indictment, Trump’s demands and Swalwell’s vow of sweeping investigations highlights the extent to which law enforcement and politics remain deeply intertwined.
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