Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) called a joint press conference on “election integrity” from former President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) “absurd” Friday, given the indictments Trump faces over 2020 election interference.
“I mean, it’s too rich that Donald Trump and Mike Johnson are talking to us about election integrity. That’s like having to listen to a lecture by Bonnie and Clyde on bank security. I mean, it’s absurd considering what they did in the 2020 election to try and overturn it,” Swalwell said during an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360”.
In the press conference at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago resort earlier Friday, Johnson touted legislation that would prevent noncitizens from voting illegally.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 already prohibits foreign nationals from voting in any federal election. A few jurisdictions allow noncitizens to vote in local elections such as municipal and school board elections, though.
“They’re going after something that is already illegal, and by the way, it’s not a thing,” Swalwell told Cooper, referring to the legislation mentioned at the press conference.
The joint appearance comes as Johnson faces pushback from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who wants him out as Speaker, arguing that Johnson is no longer fit to serve. Former President Trump used the press conference to throw his support behind the Speaker, saying Johnson was “doing a really good job under very tough circumstances.”
Trump’s support of Johnson could help him maintain his hold of the gavel, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told reporters Thursday.
“If Trump came out and gave him his full support, yes, it would help,” Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, said.