DHS Confirms Investigation Into Swalwell’s Brazilian Nanny Scandal

So let me get this straight. Eric Swalwell, the California Democrat who’s spent years lecturing Americans about the rule of law and pushing every immigration enforcement measure into the political dumpster, allegedly hired an illegal immigrant as his nanny and then lied about it. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Sunday that they’re investigating exactly that. You can’t make this stuff up.

The irony here is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. This is the same guy who’s been relentless in his criticism of border enforcement, who’s painted anyone concerned about illegal immigration as heartless and cruel. And now we find out he might’ve been employing someone without work authorization to watch his kids. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services didn’t just collect information on these allegations either. They referred the whole mess to DHS law enforcement for a proper investigation.

USCIS put out a statement that should make every American sit up and pay attention. “No one is above the law, including a member of Congress,” they said. That’s the kind of clarity we need more of in Washington. Because honestly, how many times have we watched members of Congress exempt themselves from the very rules they impose on the rest of us? How many times have we seen them operate in a different universe where consequences don’t seem to apply?

The hypocrisy cuts deep here. Swalwell has positioned himself as some kind of moral authority on everything from national security to immigration policy. He’s been front and center on cable news, wagging his finger at Republicans, demanding accountability from his political opponents. Remember his whole saga with the Chinese spy? The guy’s judgment has been questionable for years, but this takes it to another level entirely.

What really gets under my skin is the lying part. Look, people make mistakes. They hire help without doing proper due diligence sometimes. But when you’re a sitting member of Congress who’s been vocal about immigration issues, you don’t get to just sweep this under the rug. You especially don’t get to lie about it when questions start coming your way. That’s not a mistake anymore. That’s a choice.

The broader picture here matters too. We’ve got millions of Americans struggling to follow immigration laws, waiting in line, doing things the right way. They’re paying lawyers, filling out endless paperwork, waiting years sometimes for the chance to work legally in this country. And then you’ve got a congressman allegedly cutting corners, hiring someone without proper authorization, and facing zero consequences until somebody finally blows the whistle.

This investigation needs to run its course without interference. No special treatment, no backroom deals, no congressional courtesy that lets Swalwell slide while regular Americans would face serious penalties for the same behavior. The rule of law means something, or it means nothing. There’s no middle ground here.

POLITICO’s Dan Lippman deserves credit for breaking this story. It takes actual journalism to hold powerful people accountable, regardless of party affiliation. That’s what we need more of in this country. Less partisan cheerleading, more tough questions for everyone wearing a suit in Washington.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect either, given our current border crisis. While Swalwell’s been out there criticizing enforcement efforts and calling for more lenient policies, he allegedly couldn’t even follow the basic employment verification rules in his own household. That’s not just hypocrisy. That’s a complete failure of leadership and personal responsibility.

Related: Swalwell’s Billionaire Benefactor Kicks Him Out and Wants His Money Back