Another Democrat caught red-handed.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is under fire after launching his California gubernatorial campaign with a video that appears to have been filmed inside his Washington, D.C. home—the same home now tied to a major mortgage and tax fraud investigation.
Swalwell’s minute-long video promised to “protect Californians” and reduce the state’s unbearable cost of living. But viewers immediately spotted a problem: the backdrop looked exactly like his D.C. residence, not California. Screenshots compared to real-estate photos of his $1.2 million Victorian-style property sparked a wave of online criticism.
One user summed it up perfectly:
“Eric Swalwell didn’t even bother to film his California campaign video in California.”
For many voters, especially seniors who follow political news closely, this raised serious questions about honesty, residency, and transparency.
Residency Questions Add Fuel to the Fire
California’s Constitution technically requires gubernatorial candidates to maintain state residency for at least five years. However, state officials claim the requirement isn’t enforceable.
But public records reviewed by The Post show Swalwell has not owned or lived at a California address in at least a decade—around the time he shifted his political ambitions to Washington.
Meanwhile, the 2026 gubernatorial field is competitive. Democrat Katie Porter leads early polling, while Republicans like Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and commentator Steve Hilton are gaining support among voters who want a major shift away from the current Democratic leadership.
Federal Fraud Referral Deepens the Scandal
Swalwell’s D.C. home is more than just a campaign backdrop—it is now the center of a serious federal investigation.
On November 12, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte sent a referral to the Department of Justice recommending possible charges against Swalwell. Sources say the congressman listed his Washington, D.C. home as his primary residence, allowing him to secure millions in preferential loans and refinancing deals.
Experts say this could involve:
- Mortgage fraud
- Tax fraud
- Insurance fraud
- False statements to financial institutions
FHFA’s inspector general is also conducting a parallel investigation.
This comes as the six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home—located just a mile from Capitol Hill—was extensively renovated prior to Swalwell’s purchase in 2020. The timing aligns directly with his highly public attacks on President Trump.
Swalwell’s Long Anti-Trump Crusade
Swalwell gained national attention for aggressively targeting President Trump throughout his time in Congress. He even served as an impeachment manager and later sued Trump after the Jan. 6 breach, despite the Senate—and the American people—rejecting the Democrats’ narrative.
After news of the criminal referral surfaced, Swalwell avoided directly denying wrongdoing. Instead, he vowed to “keep speaking out against the president.”
That statement only intensified criticism from voters who see his attacks on Trump as political theater used to distract from his own legal troubles.
Part of a Wider Democrat Mortgage Scandal
Swalwell is not alone. He is now the fourth prominent Democrat linked to an expanding mortgage fraud investigation.
The others include:
- Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
- New York Attorney General Letitia James — already federally indicted
- Former Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, who was removed from her position by President Trump
Letitia James is facing charges for allegedly lying about her Norfolk residence to secure better loan terms and pocketing nearly $20,000 she was not entitled to. A grand jury in Maryland is still reviewing charges against Adam Schiff.
These cases reveal a pattern of Democrat leaders allegedly misrepresenting their home residences, raising alarms among taxpayers and voters concerned about integrity in government.
A Campaign Overshadowed by Scandal
Swalwell is now entering the California governor’s race with multiple political liabilities:
- Federal fraud investigations
- Residency questions
- A campaign launch video filmed outside the state he hopes to govern
- A long history of highly partisan attacks on President Trump
For California voters—especially the 50+ demographic who consistently turn out at the polls—trust and credibility matter. And many are now wondering how a candidate under investigation for financial misconduct can claim he is the future of a state already struggling with crime, taxes, and corruption.
As President Trump continues exposing fraud and government abuse, this scandal is likely far from over.