Eric Swalwell launches anti-Trump gubernatorial campaign amid criminal referral to DOJ

As more candidates throw their hats in the ring ahead of the 2026 midterms, yet another Democrat has joined the fray to succeed one of the most infamous governors in America.
Anti-Trump Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell announced on Thursday that he will be running for governor of California in 2026.
'I love California. It's the greatest country in the world.'
Swalwell, who spearheaded Trump's second impeachment, made the announcement on a segment of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," a show for which President Trump has repeatedly expressed his distaste.
Earlier this month, Trump's director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, sent a criminal referral for Swalwell to the Department of Justice, alleging that Swalwell may have committed mortgage fraud. Swalwell responded by claiming to be a victim of politically motivated prosecution.
"I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world," he said.
"I will not stop speaking out against the president and speaking up for Californians."
RELATED: Eric Swalwell finally answers Chinese spy allegations: 'I would hope that would be enough'

Swalwell says California needs a "fighter and protector" on his X profile page.
"I'm ready to bring this fight home. So I came here tonight, Jimmy, to tell you and your audience that I'm running to be the next governor of California," Swalwell announced to Kimmel.
During his remarks, Swalwell also referred to California as a "country." "I love California," he said. "It's the greatest country in the world."
Even Kimmel appeared confused, repeating, "Country?!" followed by a laugh.
Kimmel joked that Swalwell will have to "figure out the beard," suggesting a full prospector look: "You're either going to have to go more beard or less beard, because you're in a beard nether region right now that we can't have."
Swalwell's campaign video starts by saying the governor of California will have two jobs: "One, keep the worst president in our history out of our homes, out of our streets, and out of our lives."
The second is to "bring us a new California," a variation of one of his campaign slogans.
Swalwell joins an already crowded gubernatorial race. Other Democrats include Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
Blaze News reached out to the White House for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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Meanwhile, a new poll shows a majority of voters believe it's appropriate to fire employees who celebrate Charlie Kirk's murder online.
Nexstar, the owner of numerous local ABC affiliate stations, is holding firm on its pledge not to show Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show after the host lied about Charlie Kirk’s assassin. Nexstar’s announcement comes one day after Sinclair, another owner of local affiliates, made the same move, bringing the total number of affiliates that will […]
ABC extends Jimmy Kimmel contract despite outrage over Charlie Kirk comments
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show has been extended for one more year, according to a statement from the ABC television network.
The show was taken off the air in September after Kimmel implied that the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk had been a member of the pro-Trump MAGA movement. The show was returned to broadcast after about six days.
'Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!'
On Monday, Variety reported that sources confirmed the contract deal would keep Kimmel on as the host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" until at least 2027.
Many took the decision as a defiant statement against the wishes of President Donald Trump.
"These days, it's notable whenever a major media company ignores Trump's pressure and stands with talent. So let's note that Disney has renewed Jimmy Kimmel's contract for another year," CNN media analyst Brian Stelter said.
Kimmel appeared to reference the president in a post confirming the deal on Instagram.
"I am pleased to announce another no-talent year!" he wrote, using an insult Trump had used against him and his show.
Stelter went on to claim that Disney, the parent company of ABC, caved to pressure from some viewers who canceled their Disney Plus accounts to protest Kimmel's cancellation.
"It was clear that Kimmel was the big winner of that episode," he added. "He gained more power and leverage from the outrageous episode of government censorship."
RELATED: Jimmy Kimmel's wife has cut off family members over Trump: 'We're not aligned anymore'
Kimmel has been hosting the show since January of 2003.
He has used the entertainment platform to bash Trump, his policies, and his supporters. The president has responded by issuing fiery insults on social media.
"Why does ABC Fake News keep Jimmy Kimmel, a man with NO TALENT and VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS, on the air?" the president wrote in November. "Why do the TV Syndicates put up with it? Also, totally biased coverage. Get the bum off the air!!!"
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