Internet slams Rep Eric Swalwell as he accuses Trump of 'glorifying violence' ahead of November elections

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif) launched a scathing attack on former President Trump's rhetoric, denouncing it as "glorifying violence" and voicing concerns for the safety of election workers in the lead-up to the November elections.

During his appearance on MSNBC's 'The Weekend' on Saturday, March 30, Swalwell didn't mince his words as he lambasted Trump's rhetoric, particularly on the newly emerged social media platform Truth Social.

Concerns for Public Safety

The California Democrat, a longstanding critic of Trump, highlighted the former president's relentless attacks on judges and individuals involved in his civil and criminal cases. "We're still a country that's armed to the teeth, right? I know the most dangerous people have access to the most dangerous weapons in this country," Swalwell asserted.

As the House manager in Trump's second impeachment trial, Swalwell took particular offense at a video shared by the former president featuring a photo depicting President Biden tied in the back of a truck.

“The violent rhetoric, as we saw, you know, just yesterday from the former president’s, you know, Truth account, where he’s glorifying violence continues to go up," he said.

Trump's recent barrage of attacks on judges prompted Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing his hush-money case, to impose a gag order, further escalating tensions.

Swalwell voiced concerns not only for the safety of election workers but also for the investigators tasked with probing threats directed at them.

“And one part of this that really concerns me is that the Department of Justice, you know, who is charged with investigating these threats, they are overwhelmed because the investigators are being threatened,” he said.

“So the people who would be typically investigating someone who’s threatening an elected official, you know, or a poll worker, that FBI official, that U.S. attorney is also being threatened.” 

“So this is just an attempt, as I said, to overwhelm the system,” he said on Saturday. “And that makes me very nervous seven months out.”

When pressed on strategies to reinforce the efforts of secretaries of state and election officials amid a surge in threats, Swalwell stressed the imperative of unity in condemning such behavior.

"To address these threats, unity has to be, you know, the antidote. That means Republicans and Democrats have to condemn it. And we have to say, you know, that we pick our leaders and we choose our policies by voting and not by violence," he said.

The congressman called for bipartisan condemnation and advocated for robust federal, state, and local funding for aggressive prosecutions to deter and hold accountable those perpetrating threats.

"Second, we have to fund, at the federal and state and local level, you know, aggressive prosecutions to make sure that, you know, we're deterring this and holding accountable folks when they do this. And then, as Democrats, I think we -- and even, you know, independents and reasonable Republicans, we have to say this is an effort, you know, to use process over policy. You know, Donald Trump and his MAGA gang, they don't want to talk about policy," Swalwell continued.

"So they're going to grind this out and take us deep into the weeds, you know, over process. So, you know, they're going to argue over -- not just argue over, they're going to intimidate the people involved in the process, because they're completely bankrupt when it comes to the policy. So I'd say, you know, unity and condemnation, you know, funding the efforts to stop it. And then, as Democrats, on the messaging, don't -- don't get stuck in the process, because we went on policy," the California Democrat added, as quoted by Real Clear Politics.

Social Media Backlash

However, Swalwell's stance against Trump's rhetoric sparked a backlash on social media.

"The guy who threatened to nuke American citizens is worried about violent rhetoric," one posted on X.

"Oh spare me. No concern for the safety of citizens of California or the country as a result of violent offenders released over and over and over again due to “reform” prosecutors and ridiculous pro-criminal democrats policies …. But this concerns him," another fumed.

"Raise your hand if you’re just sick of the scare tactics!" someone else wrote.

"Where's his Chinese spy girlfriend?" a comment read.

"The fact that he's still in Congress proves without reasonable doubt that it is beyond corrupt and needs to be replaced with new and fresh minds," another offered.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.