FACT CHECK: Did Eric Swalwell Face Charges After Allegedly Lying To Jim Jordan?

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

A video shared on Facebook purports California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell instantly faced charges after allegedly lying to Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan.

Screenshot captured via Facebook

Verdict: Misleading

The video’s caption does not match its contents. The original video shows a February 2023 House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Oversight Plan for the 118th Congress.

Fact Check:

Swalwell accused former San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Bruce Miller of allegedly sending him a “threatening” message on Twitter, according to CBS News. Swalwell reportedly notified the U.S. Capitol Police of the message, the New York Post reported.

“‘THEY DEFUND F.BI’ Swalwell DESTROYS his career after lying to Jim Jordan…faces CHARGES INSTANTLY,” the Facebook video, which has received over 3,000 likes at the time of publication, purports.

The claim is misleading as the original video shows a February 2023 House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Oversight Plan for the 118th Congress.

The video opens with Swalwell discussing what provisions are not included in the Oversight Plan. Swalwell notes the plan does not contain “anything about being guardians of the Constitution” or funding to combat crime via community policing programs. Swalwell also calls out his Republican colleagues for always trying to “own [President] Biden and the Democrats.”

Once Swalwell is finished speaking, he yields back his time to Jordan, who does not bring any charges against him. New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew speaks next but also does not reference Swalwell’s alleged lying or the supposed charges. (RELATED: Did A Fight Break Out During A House Committee Hearing?)

Likewise, the claim neither appears on Swalwell’s website nor his verified social media accounts. Jordan has not publicly addressed the claim, either.

In addition, Check Your Fact has not found any credible news reports supporting the claim, which appears to be circulating following the conclusion of the Bipartisan House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Swalwell. The Democratic California Representative shared a press release indicating the committee found no evidence of wrongdoing in relation to a 2020 allegation involving a Chinese volunteer on his congressional campaign.

Check Your Fact has contacted both Swalwell and Jordan’s offices for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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