Rep. Eric Swalwell has been referred to the Justice Department on allegations of tax and mortgage fraud after an FHFA official requested an investigation into loans tied to a D.C. property he lists as his primary residence. Swalwell says the referral will not stop his ongoing civil suit against Donald Trump and denies wrongdoing. The move follows a string of accusations by Trump-aligned officials against several Democrats and public figures, prompting debate about politically charged investigations.
Trump-Aligned Official Refers Rep. Eric Swalwell to DOJ Over Alleged Tax and Mortgage Fraud
Rep. Eric Swalwell has been referred to the Justice Department on allegations of tax and mortgage fraud after an FHFA official requested an investigation into loans tied to a D.C. property he lists as his primary residence. Swalwell says the referral will not stop his ongoing civil suit against Donald Trump and denies wrongdoing. The move follows a string of accusations by Trump-aligned officials against several Democrats and public figures, prompting debate about politically charged investigations.
03:40 AM, 11/14/2025Politics
Trump-Aligned Official Refers Rep. Eric Swalwell to DOJ Over Alleged Tax and Mortgage Fraud
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump who served on the Jan. 6 committee and participated in Trump’s first impeachment inquiry in 2019, has been referred to the Justice Department on allegations of tax and mortgage fraud, according to media reports.
NBC News reported that Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a Justice Department investigation into loans tied to a Washington, D.C., property Swalwell lists as his primary residence. The referral reportedly involves millions of dollars in loans associated with that property. The Justice Department declined to comment to HuffPost.
In a statement to HuffPost, Swalwell said the only thing that surprised him was "that it took him this long to come after me," and added the referral would not deter him from pursuing his ongoing civil case against Trump related to the Jan. 6 insurrection.
This referral fits a broader pattern of public accusations from officials aligned with Trump that have targeted Democrats and other high-profile figures. Names publicly singled out in similar contexts include New York Attorney General Letitia James, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Letitia James previously won a civil business-and-tax fraud judgment against Trump that resulted in an order for him to pay nearly $515 million after interest; an appeals court affirmed the civil finding but deemed the penalty excessive. Lisa Cook faced accusations tied to a Michigan mortgage as Trump sought her removal from the Federal Reserve Board; Michigan officials later said they found no evidence she violated rules for primary-residence mortgages. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in January about Trump's authority to remove Fed governors.
Swalwell's referral comes amid other contentious prosecutions and investigations involving Trump critics. Former FBI Director James Comey faces charges he calls fabricated and politically motivated; John Bolton, a former national security adviser, was indicted on charges related to classified materials and has denied wrongdoing.
"Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come — I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world," Swalwell said in a statement to HuffPost. "As Mark Twain said, 'Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.' Mr. President, do better. Be Better."
Swalwell has also been the target of false and distorted claims in partisan attacks. In 2023, some Republican figures spread unsubstantiated allegations about a connection between Swalwell and an alleged Chinese operative; a House Ethics Committee review and an FBI inquiry that Swalwell cooperated with both found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The referral raises questions about whether criminal referrals involving political figures are being driven by legitimate concerns or political motivations. At this stage, the referral requests an investigation; Swalwell has denied wrongdoing and said he will continue his legal actions and public work.