Special Poll
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) dismissed a press conference held by former President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as “absurd” during an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.” The conference focused on “election integrity,” a topic Swalwell found ironic given Trump’s indictments related to the 2020 election interference.
“It’s laughable to hear Donald Trump and Mike Johnson speak about election integrity. It’s akin to Bonnie and Clyde giving a seminar on bank security. It’s just absurd, especially considering their actions during the 2020 election aimed at overturning it,” Swalwell remarked.
During the event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, Johnson highlighted legislation aimed at preventing illegal voting by noncitizens. Swalwell pointed out that such voting is already illegal under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, and only a few local jurisdictions allow noncitizens to participate in local elections like those for school boards or municipal offices.
“They are focusing on an issue that is already prohibited by law, and frankly, it’s a non-issue,” Swalwell told Anderson Cooper, referring to the proposed legislation discussed at the press conference.
The conference also played into the internal Republican dynamics, as Johnson deals with challenges from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has expressed her desire to see him removed as Speaker. Trump took the opportunity at the press conference to endorse Johnson, suggesting that he was “doing a really good job under very tough circumstances.”
This endorsement could potentially stabilize Johnson’s leadership position, according to Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, who noted that Trump’s strong backing would likely bolster Johnson’s standing.