OPINION:
The woman in the grocery store checkout line had an accent. While we waited for our items to be rung up, I asked her where she was from.
“Argentina,” she said.
“Is the inflation rate in Argentina under 100% yet?” I asked.
She smiled, “That’s what the politicians say, but I never trust a politician.”
I laughed. What a wise woman, I thought. That sentiment is getting around.
I immediately thought of the American politicians who defended former Rep. Eric Swalwell, California Democrat and former candidate for California governor.
Some background for those with short memories. In 2020, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, were given a classified briefing by the FBI. After it, Mr. McCarthy said Mr. Swalwell should not be on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence because of his ties to an alleged Chinese spy.
Mrs. Pelosi continued to support Mr. Swalwell, however, and in 2021, he was appointed to the intelligence committee. Investigators ultimately found no evidence that he had participated in a quid pro quo scheme or violated federal corruption laws. He was removed as a subject of the investigation.
In 2023, after becoming speaker, Mr. McCarthy accused Mr. Swalwell of keeping the company of Christine Fang, a woman Mr. McCarthy said was a Chinese spy. Mr. Swalwell eventually resigned from Congress after additional information about his contact with Ms. Fang was revealed.
Mr. Swalwell also withdrew from the California governor’s race, into which he had inserted himself.
What adds to the distrust of politicians (if more reasons are needed) is the number of House Democrats who continued to support Mr. Swalwell after the allegations of his misdeeds kept piling up. Rep. Jerry Nadler, New York Democrat, said of Mr. McCarthy’s allegation that Mr. Swalwell had a Chinese spy on his staff: “That is absurd. And I think Mr. McCarthy ought to be ashamed … for raising these spurious questions.”
Then-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Maryland Democrat, called the effort to remove Mr. Swalwell from the intelligence committee a “frivolous, political exercise” intended to “attack the reputation of an outstanding Member of Congress.”
Many other Democrats, including Sen. Adam Schiff of California, who at the time served as a House member, also defended Mr. Swalwell.
FBI records pertaining to Mr. Swalwell were subsequently declassified. According to Fox News reporting, these records show that agents “had launched a full investigation tied to Fang, examining possible bribery, foreign campaign contributions (which are illegal), and efforts at one point to trade access to Swalwell and congressional internships for political donations.”
On the night of Aug. 15 at San Francisco International Airport, FBI agents seized Mr. Swalwell’s electronic devices. The following day, Mr. Swalwell’s Washington home was searched as part of an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
The records released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force reveal two FBI interviews with Mr. Swalwell. They also expose a broader investigation into Ms. Fang’s involvement with illicit campaign contributions and accusations involving interns.
The records reveal, Fox News reports, how the FBI saw Ms. Fang as a significant counterintelligence concern, suspecting ties to the Chinese Ministry of State Security and, at one point, attempting to recruit her as an FBI confidential source.
Have we heard a peep from those top Democrats who vociferously defended Mr. Swalwell while accusing Mr. McCarthy of “shameful” behavior (Mr. Schiff)? Not one.
This is just one of the reasons so many people are sour on Congress and do not bother to vote. It is why the Argentine lady was right (and so are Americans) not to place their faith in politicians.
• Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book, “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books).
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