California politics has always had its share of dramatic speeches, wild proposals, and headline grabbing promises. But Rep. Eric Swalwell seems determined to raise the competition to Olympic level absurdity. The California congressman, currently running for governor, has now threatened to revoke the driver’s licenses of masked ICE agents operating in California. Yes, you read that correctly. He wants to punish federal agents by taking away licenses he does not even have the power to revoke.
This is not satire. This is real life California politics in 2026.
Eric Swalwell is a Democratic congressman famous for three main things. First, launching political ideas that are usually dead on arrival. Second, desperately trying to impress the far left wing of his party. And third, for sleeping with Christine Fang, a Chinese spy. Even the White House mocked him, noting that “Fang Fang’s former lover wants to give drivers licenses to criminal illegal aliens and simultaneously punish law enforcement officers,” calling him an “absolute clown.”
Yet Swalwell is undeterred. During an interview on MS NOW, he declared that if ICE agents wear masks and do not identify themselves, California should simply take away their right to drive in the state. According to Swalwell, this is how he will “protect the most vulnerable.” Apparently, constitutional law, jurisdiction, and reality are optional concepts in his campaign.
The Mask Issue: Why ICE Agents Wear Them
California politicians have been furious that ICE agents sometimes wear masks during operations. Critics claim it creates fear and lack of accountability. Federal officials explain that agents and their families have faced death threats, harassment, and doxxing. So, they wear masks for safety. California even tried to pass a law banning ICE officers from wearing masks entirely, but the state was forced to put the law on hold because it is almost certainly unconstitutional.
Federal officials have made it clear. California does not get to regulate federal agents. The Supremacy Clause exists. It has been a thing since the 1800s. Even U.S. attorneys in California are saying the state has no authority to control federal officers. Yet Swalwell is now campaigning as if he discovered a magical governor crown that overrides 200 years of federal law.
Problem One: Swalwell Has No Power To Do This
There is a small detail Swalwell seems to have forgotten. He is not governor. He is a congressman. He cannot make state rules. He cannot revoke licenses. He has zero authority in this area. Even if he became governor, federal agents are immune from this kind of political fantasy enforcement. Legal experts are already laughing at him, noting this proposal is not only unconstitutional, it is embarrassing that a former prosecutor with a law degree is pretending otherwise.
Harmeet Dhillon summed it up simply. Swalwell knows better. He is just campaigning on pure nonsense.
Problem Two: California Law Does Not Work That Way
Even if California wanted to revoke licenses like candy at Halloween, the law does not allow it. Licenses are revoked for real driving violations, crimes, or legitimate legal reasons. Not for wearing a mask while doing your job. There is no California code titled “Offense: Makes Eric Swalwell Mad, License Suspended.” That law does not exist. It will never exist. Judges would shred it on sight.
Problem Three: ICE Agents Do Not All Have California Licenses
Swalwell’s genius plan also trips over basic geography. Many ICE agents do not even live in California and do not hold California driver’s licenses. So California cannot revoke licenses it does not issue. This is basic logic, although logic is clearly not part of the campaign platform.
Swalwell vs AOC: The Battle for the Stupidist Democrat
If there is a competition for most embarrassing Democrat moment, Swalwell is clearly trying to dethrone Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. That takes effort. AOC once confidently lectured America about corporations like Deloitte supposedly dumping toxic chemicals into rivers. Unfortunately for her, Deloitte is an accounting firm. The only thing they pour is coffee and maybe some wine at corporate parties. Social media had a field day.
Yet even AOC’s famous mistakes struggle to keep up with Swalwell promising to arrest federal agents, rip off their masks, possibly jail them, and now take away their driving privileges. It is like they are in a constant reality show challenge to outdo each other in political ridiculousness. Except this is real life, not a comedy skit.
The Punchline: This Will Never Happen
Federal law supersedes state tantrums. Courts have already slapped California for trying to interfere with ICE. Legal rulings dating back to the Civil War say states cannot interfere with federal agents doing federal duties. Even a first year law student could explain this to Swalwell. He obviously knows it. He just does not care because outrage politics gets attention.
Legal experts have openly mocked the idea. Federal prosecutors have reminded California they cannot regulate federal enforcement. Commentators have compared Swalwell’s antics to historical political grandstanding that always collapses when reality arrives.
California has huge problems. Massive debt. Crime. Homelessness. Economic decline. Instead of addressing any of that, Eric Swalwell is busy inventing imaginary laws and threatening people he has no control over. Instead of serious leadership, he offers political theater.
He insults federal officers, pushes unconstitutional fantasies, and pretends to be a hero while ignoring basic law. Meanwhile his own embarrassing history with a Chinese spy is still trailing behind him like a parade float of humiliation.
If the goal is to be the funniest political disaster in America, Swalwell may finally beat AOC. And that is truly impressive.
