Democrats are trying to one-up themselves in the fight against ICE.
No one thought they would take it this far.
And Eric Swalwell made one scary threat to ICE that crossed a red line.
Swalwell Targets ICE Agents' Qualified Immunity in New Federal Bill
California Congressman Eric Swalwell stood before a crowd at the Empowerment Congress summit in Los Angeles and declared war on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operatin in the state.
The Democrat didn't mince words about what he plans to do if he becomes California's next Governor.
"They're going to lose their immunity, they're not gonna be able to drive. I will take your driver's license," Swalwell announced. "Good luck walking to work, a**holes."
The crowd erupted in applause as Swalwell laid out his plan to cripple ICE operations in California.
He promised to "direct law enforcement to use every power to prosecute them for battery, false imprisonment, and murder."
"You know me, I'm not shy," he told the audience, pointing to his years pushing the Russia collusion hoax alongside Adam Schiff as proof he'll follow through.
Swalwell isn't just making campaign promises.
He's teaming up with New York Congressman Dan Goldman on a bill targeting ICE agents' qualified immunity.
The timing follows the Renee Good shooting in Minneapolis that sparked nationwide protests against ICE.
"Trump's ICE thugs inflict cruelty on our communities every day. Enough," Swalwell posted on Facebook. "I'm fighting to end impunity for ICE and hold them accountable for their actions."
Swalwell's proposing federal agents lose their legal protections and face prosecution from hostile state governments.
California cops would arrest ICE agents for doing exactly what federal law requires.
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Swalwell told the Los Angeles crowd there's "only one side of the ball to be on on behalf of Californians when it comes to ICE, and it's offense."
He's running to replace Gavin Newsom as California's Governor later this year.
California's jungle primary system puts all candidates on the same ballot regardless of party, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
That creates a brutal dynamic where multiple Democrats are fighting to be one of the two finalists.
Threatening to revoke driver's licenses and calling federal agents "a**holes" while vowing to prosecute them is Swalwell's play to finish in the top two.
This isn't about protecting immigrants or civil rights.
It's about an ambitious politician declaring total war on ICE to win votes from California's Radical Left base.
Swalwell's banking on Democrat voters rewarding the candidate who promises the most aggressive resistance to Trump's immigration crackdown.
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Here's where this goes.
California is already one of the most illegal alien-friendly states in the country.
The state's illegal alien problem will explode if voters are foolish enough to elect Swalwell.
If California's next Governor actually tries stripping ICE agents of driver's licenses and directing state police to arrest them, it creates a constitutional crisis.
The Supremacy Clause doesn't have an exception for California Democrats who don't like immigration enforcement.
Swalwell doesn't care about the Constitution.
He's promising the Radical Left he'll turn the state into a war zone where ICE agents face criminal prosecution for doing their jobs.
Swalwell's threatening exactly the kind of interference that could trigger federal intervention under the Insurrection Act.
The question isn't whether Swalwell's serious about these threats.
The question is whether California voters will reward a candidate whose entire platform is protecting criminal illegal aliens from deportation.
Sources:
- Sean James, "Eric Swalwell Promises to Yank ICE's Driver's Licenses If He Becomes California Governor," Mediaite, January 17, 2026.
- Empowerment Congress summit remarks, Los Angeles, January 18, 2026.
- Eric Swalwell Facebook post, January 2026.
