Washington, D.C. – Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California criticized a joint press conference held by former President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana as “absurd,” citing Trump’s current legal challenges regarding the 2020 election.
During an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360,” Swalwell compared Trump and Johnson speaking on “election integrity” to receiving a lecture on bank security from Bonnie and Clyde, highlighting the irony in their discussion given the events of the 2020 election.
Johnson, at the press conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, promoted legislation aimed at preventing noncitizens from voting unlawfully. However, Swalwell pointed out that existing laws, such as the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, already prohibit foreign nationals from voting in federal elections.
Swalwell dismissed the legislation mentioned at the press conference as redundant, emphasizing that it was unnecessary to pursue something that is already illegal and not a significant concern. The focus on noncitizen voting in federal elections raised questions about the motives behind the proposed legislation.
The joint appearance by Trump and Johnson coincided with internal tensions within the Republican party, with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia calling for Johnson’s removal as Speaker. Despite this, Trump expressed his support for Johnson, citing his commendable performance under challenging circumstances.
Other Republican lawmakers, like Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina, believed that Trump’s endorsement could bolster Johnson’s position as Speaker. Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, acknowledged the potential impact of Trump’s backing on Johnson’s standing within the party.