In a bold and confrontational move, a Democratic congressman campaigning to become California's next governor has pledged to strip federal immigration agents of their driving licences if he is elected.
A Firm Anti-ICE Stance
Representative Eric Swalwell made the striking remarks on Saturday afternoon during a summit in Los Angeles hosted by the Empowerment Congress. His comments represent a firmly anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) position, coming in the wake of the shooting of protester Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.
When asked from the stage how he would 'protect' Californians from ICE, Swalwell was unequivocal. 'They're going to lose their immunity, they're not gonna be able to drive. I will take your driver's license,' he declared. As the audience laughed, he added, 'Good luck walking to work, a**holes.'
Promises of Prosecution and Political Context
Swalwell went further, promising an aggressive stance against ICE agents operating within the state, particularly those who wear masks during enforcement actions. He vowed to direct law enforcement to prosecute them for offences including battery, false imprisonment, and murder.
The congressman cited his past work with Senator Adam Schiff investigating claims of Trump-Russia collusion during the 2016 election as evidence of his willingness to confront powerful institutions. 'You know me, I'm not shy. I'm not naive,' he stated, referring to former President Donald Trump.
Swalwell, who is ramping up his campaign to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom, currently sits in third place in a crowded field according to a recent poll from the Independent Voter Project, trailing Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco.
Brother Escalation and Legal Troubles
The rhetoric reflects a broader escalation among Democrats who have intensified attacks on ICE, especially following Good's death. According to reports, Swalwell is working with New York Representative Dan Goldman to introduce legislation that would strip ICE agents of qualified immunity, a legal shield protecting officials from civil liability.
However, Swalwell's hardline posture arrives as his own political future faces scrutiny. The 45-year-old congressman is facing a federal criminal referral related to alleged mortgage and tax fraud. He has stated he filed paperwork appropriately and vowed the investigation would not silence him.
Critics have dismissed his comments as grandstanding, with one calling it 'open hostility to federal law enforcement.' Another stated a governor cannot nullify federal authority but could make California 'even less safe.'
The case of Renee Good has inflamed national tensions, fuelling calls from some Democrats to rein in or dismantle ICE, with the agency increasingly framed by its opponents as an occupying force rather than a law enforcement body.
