VILLARAIGOSA CONDEMNS SWALWELL’S VOTE FOR MAGA-SPONSORED “GRATITUDE FOR ICE” DURING ICE RAIDS IN CA
Despite Swalwell’s Notorious and Chronic Absences from Congress
– while Trump Deployed 4,700 National Guard Troops & Marines to CA –
Eric Swalwell Stood with MAGA Republicans in Congress
“Expressing Gratitude to ICE for Protecting the Homeland”
LOS ANGELES, CA — Former ACLU Southern California President, Los Angeles Mayor, and California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa issued the following statement condemning Rep. Eric Swalwell’s decision to join MAGA Republicans in Congress voting to “express gratitude to ICE for protecting the homeland” during massive ICE raids and Donald Trump’s deployment of 4,700 National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to California.
“While masked ICE Agents conducted massive raids scooping up U.S. Citizens in California, and Donald Trump deployed nearly 5,000 National Guard troops and Marines to our communities, Rep. Eric Swalwell voted for a MAGA-sponsored House resolution expressing gratitude to ICE Agents for protecting the Homeland.”
“The fact that Eric Swalwell stood with MAGA Republicans in Washington to thank ICE while in California masked ICE agents terrorized our communities — despite Swalwell’s notorious and chronic record of absenteeism from Congress, is shamefully hypocritical.”
“How can Swalwell say with a straight face that he will stand up to Trump as Governor, when he doesn’t show up to do it in Congress, or when he does show up Swalwell votes for MAGA-sponsored gratitude for ICE?”
— Antonio Villaraigosa
IMPORTANT FACTS and TIMELINE
June 6: Massive ICE raids by masked ICE agents sweep across Southern California
June 7: ICE raids continue, hundreds peacefully protest
June 8: Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops while ICE raids continue
June 9: Trump deployed 4,700 National Guard troops and Marines (additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines) to California
June 9: Eric Swalwell voted for MAGA Republican sponsored House resolution (Gabe Evans and Lauren Boebert) that “expressed gratitude to U.S. ICE personnel, for protecting the homeland” (Newsweek, 6/9/25)
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the MAGA effort supported by Swalwell “a total embarrassment.”
SWALWELL and MAGA Voted YES, DEMOCRATS VOTED NO: California House Democrats overwhelmingly opposed the MAGA measure backed by Swalwell, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Sara Jacobs, Ro Khanna, Mike Levin, Mike Thompson, Brad Sherman, Doris Matsui, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Sam Liccardo, Scott Peters, Luz Rivas, Mark Takano, Kevin Mullin, Linda Sanchez, Ted Lieu, Pete Aguilar, Nanette Diaz Barragan, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, Gil Cisneros, Lou Correa, Mark DeSaulnier, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, and Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation Zoe Lofgren, as well as the majority of Democrats in Congress including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
