Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) appeared to threaten House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) after the Democrat was bounced from the House Intelligence Committee.
Swalwell, who allegedly had an affair with a Chinese spy, told McCarthy he thinks he’ll “regret” the move, seeming to hint at political retribution of some kind.
“We will not be quiet,” Swalwell said Wednesday, referring to fellow Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff of California and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, both booted from committees, too. “We’re not going away. I think he’ll regret giving all three of us more time on our hands.”
“But at the end of the day, our mission now is to restore the credibility and integrity of this institution of which the speaker has so gravely, so gravely smashed and destroyed,” the Democrat added.
Swalwell also claimed McCarthy is responsible for alleged death threats he’s been receiving, asserting, “Even though we have said publicly, ‘These smears are bringing death threats against us,’ he continues to do it, which makes us believe that there’s an intent behind it.”
Swalwell: "[McCarthy] will regret giving all three of us more time on our hands." pic.twitter.com/eDS02NWpHo
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 25, 2023
Swalwell has refused to address reports that he had an affair nearly 10 years ago with a Chinese national named Christine Fang, or Fang Fang, who posed as a political supporter but was later revealed to be a Chinese spy.
“Eric Swalwell cannot get a security clearance in the public sector. Why would we ever give him a security clearance in the secrets to America? So, I will not allow him to be on Intel,” McCarthy said back in November.
The House Speaker has also said the FBI never gave congressional leaders a briefing about Swalwell’s alleged relationship with the spy until he served on the Intelligence Committee.
“So, it wasn’t just us who were concerned about it,” the Republican said. “The FBI was concerned about putting a member of Congress on the Intel Committee, that has the rights to see things that others don’t, because of his knowledge and relationship with a Chinese spy. I got that briefing, so I do not believe he should sit on that committee… and I believe there’s 200 other Democrats that can serve on that committee.”
McCarthy on Tuesday announced that he had rejected Swalwell and Schiff, who pushed the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, from the House Intelligence Committee.
I have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee.
I am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people. pic.twitter.com/ePxlbanxta
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 25, 2023
Schiff was also upset about the removal.
“Kevin McCarthy just kicked me and [Eric Swalwell] off the Intelligence Committee,” the Democrat reacted on Twitter. “This is petty, political payback for investigating Donald Trump. If he thinks this will stop me, he will soon find out just how wrong he is. I will always defend our democracy.”
Kevin McCarthy just kicked me and @RepSwalwell off the Intelligence Committee.
This is petty, political payback for investigating Donald Trump.
If he thinks this will stop me, he will soon find out just how wrong he is.
I will always defend our democracy.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 25, 2023
Rep. Omar was bounced from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over past comments viewed as antisemitic.
“Kevin McCarthy’s purely partisan move to strip us from our committee is not only a political stunt, but also a blow to the integrity of our democratic institution and threat to our national security,” the “Squad” member reacted Wednesday. “If McCarthy wants to denigrate the House and its committees, we will always stand up to these efforts.”
Greg Wilson has contributed to this report.
Related: McCarthy Bounces Dems Swalwell, Schiff, Omar From Key House Committees