Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is reportedly weighing a run for California governor and may announce his decision as early as next week, positioning himself as a potential challenger to frontrunner Katie Porter, according to two anonymous sources cited by MSNBC.
“Swalwell declined to comment when reached by MSNBC, but a source close to the congressman, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the private discussions, said Swalwell allies had asked him to run ‘to fill a “fighter/protector” role’ in the mold of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom,” reported MSNBC. “Earlier on Thursday, a Trump administration official referred the congressman to the Department of Justice for a potential federal criminal investigation over allegations of mortgage and tax fraud.”
Swalwell said in response to the criminal referral: “As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me.”
Swalwell is facing allegations of mortgage and tax fraud involving his Washington, D.C., home, making him the fourth Democrat hit with similar accusations in recent months. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte alleged that Swalwell may have submitted false or misleading information on his loan documents.
A 2020 Axios report revealed that Rep. Eric Swalwell had interacted with Christine “Fang Fang” Fang, an alleged Chinese spy who spent years building ties with California politicians. Fang aided fundraising for his 2014 campaign and helped place an intern in his office. Swalwell cut off contact in 2015 after a warning from U.S. intelligence. In 2021, U.S. intelligence possessed a classified report detailing aspects of their relationship, but the House Ethics Committee closed its review in 2023 without taking action. Swalwell has consistently denied any improper relationship, saying he was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operative.
If Swalwell enters the governor’s race, he would join a field that already includes former Rep. Katie Porter, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and businessman Stephen Cloobeck.
.@FoxNews Confirms from White House officials that Rep. Eric Swalwell has been Referred to the DOJ for Criminal Charges for Mortgage Fraud. pic.twitter.com/b7C1o06A7O
— 🦅 Eagle Wings 🦅 (@CRRJA5) November 14, 2025
BREAKING: Rep. Eric Swalwell hit with a federal criminal probe referral
