Rep. Eric Swalwell came under fire after commenting that President Trump must be guilty because of his actions in defending himself.
The California Democrat and former 2020 contender set off a firestorm of social media criticism after comments he made while speaking to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.
(Video: CNN)
Swalwell’s remarks came as he discussed Trump’s refusal to cooperate with House Democrats in the impeachment inquiry and send requested documents and allow witnesses to appear in hearings.
“Unless you send those to us, we can only conclude that you’re guilty,” Swalwell said, addressing his comments to the president during his CNN interview.
“In America, innocent men do not hide and conceal evidence,” he added. “In fact, Wolf, they do just the opposite. They are forthcoming and they want to cooperate and the president is acting like a very guilty person right now.”
Swalwell’s ignorant remark prompted a telling observation from Ben Williamson, communications director for Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C.
“I believe the Fifth Amendment was just repealed on live television,” Williamson tweeted Tuesday and was joined by many other Twitter users who also slammed the Democrat.
Guilty, until proven innocent…
It’s the #Democrat way.
— HUCsters (@HCsters) December 18, 2019
To clarify, the bad takes are: 1) that there is an a priori assumption that one is guilty in a criminal proceeding in the US. And 2) that “innocent people” always cooperate with gov’t investigations and evidence of failure to cooperate/encourage others to do so proves guilt
— Chris’s Hair (@ChrisWhitesHair) December 18, 2019
This makes sense only if you subscribe the legal philosophy of “guilty unless proven innocent”.
— TANSTAAFL (@RetBombSqd) December 18, 2019
Earlier Tuesday, Swalwell had also been called out for his outrageous take on Trump’s supposed stonewalling by using the example of drug testing in Major League Baseball. The president has blocked a few witnesses from testifying before Congress in what he has called a “sham” impeachment and “witch hunt” against him.
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been called to testify but have not appeared in House impeachment inquiry hearings.
“Why won’t @realDonaldTrump send witnesses or documents to Congress? Because he’d test dirty,” he tweeted.
Sports fans: if a baseball player refuses to take a drug test, MLB treats it as a positive result. Why? Only a player who’d test dirty would refuse a test.
Why won’t @realDonaldTrump send witnesses or documents to Congress?
Because he’d test dirty. #ImpeachmentHearings
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) December 17, 2019
Twitter users let Swalwell have it after his ridiculous argument and accusations against the president.
Just imagine how guilty he would be if he deleted 33k emails after they were subpoenaed, destroyed computer hard drives, and cell phones. Used bleach bit and had a private server in Trump tower he was sending top secret emails on.
— ? The ßlair B*tch Project ®️ (@blairanton) December 18, 2019
Failing to cave to a co-equal branch of government is not obstruction. House Dems not willing to go through the constitutionally prescribed method for resolving the matter is on them, not Trump.
— Tyler Clafton (@TClafton) December 18, 2019
guilty until proven innocent, the motto of the liberal miscreants like you.
— BvrKnight (@BvrKnight) December 17, 2019
Eric, odd thing about the US, you’re innocent until proven guilty. Not his responsibility to prove he’s innocent, your responsibility to prove he’s guilty. Obviously you missed school that day!
— golphinphool (@golphinphool) December 18, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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