Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., openly suggested Sunday that Democrats should signal plans to impeach or defund Trump administration officials over the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, should Democrats regain control of the House in 2026.
Speaking on MS NOW’s “The Weekend,” Swalwell agreed with the idea of using aggressive congressional tools, including inherent contempt and funding restrictions, to pressure administration officials. When host Laura Barrón-López raised the possibility of holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt or even pursuing impeachment, Swalwell jumped in to add “or restricting funding” as another option.
Pressed on whether such actions would only be possible if Democrats win back the House, Swalwell made his position clear. “Yes,” he said, adding that Democrats need to “telegraph that that’s what we are willing to do if we are given the majority.”
Swalwell then pivoted to President Donald Trump, claiming the Epstein controversy raises questions about Trump’s past relationship with the disgraced financier. Swalwell asserted that Epstein once described Trump as his “best friend” and argued that people generally know the secrets of those closest to them.
“I know everything about my best friends,” Swalwell said. “So, if one of my best friends was a child sex trafficker, I would know that.” He framed the issue as one of accountability, asking what Trump knew and when he knew it.
Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi for not yet releasing all Epstein-related documents, as required under legislation passed earlier this year. Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who led the bipartisan push to force a vote on the disclosure bill, have launched an inherent contempt effort against Bondi, threatening fines until the remaining files are released. Khanna has gone even further, suggesting the delay could potentially justify impeachment.
Not all Democrats agree with that approach. Sen. Tim Kaine cautioned against rushing into impeachment or contempt proceedings, calling such discussions premature. Kaine cited a recent example involving delayed Pentagon disclosures on Venezuelan boat strikes, noting that Congress used funding restrictions in defense legislation to force compliance rather than immediately escalating to impeachment threats.
Trump administration officials have said the remaining Epstein files will be released, with Congress set to return from its holiday recess next week. However, the DOJ disclosed last week that officials in New York uncovered more than one million additional documents potentially tied to Epstein investigations, meaning the process could take several more weeks.
Trump has blasted the continued focus on Epstein, saying it diverts attention from other priorities. “Now 1,000,000 more pages on Epstein are found,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “DOJ is being forced to spend all of its time on this Democrat inspired Hoax.”
Swalwell escalated his rhetoric again Monday in a post on X, claiming Trump was “weaponizing” the government against political opponents. He accused Trump of abusing power and demanded that administration officials preserve all related documents, pointing to what he described as prosecutions of Trump’s rivals.
The White House pushed back sharply. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Swalwell only showed concern about Epstein when he believed it could be used politically against the president. She added that by releasing thousands of pages, cooperating with House Oversight subpoenas, and calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democratic associates, the Trump administration has “done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.”
The exchange underscores how the Epstein files have become another flashpoint in Washington’s escalating political warfare, with Democrats openly discussing impeachment and defunding as campaign promises ahead of 2026, and the Trump administration accusing critics of exploiting the issue for partisan gain.
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