Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), already under scrutiny for past ties to suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine Fang, is facing renewed criticism after making comments during a CNN interview that many have called dangerous, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

During an appearance on CNN’s Newsroom, hosted by Omar Jimenez, the California Democrat was asked about political rhetoric and whether Democrats risked overreach by abandoning Michelle Obama’s oft-quoted line: “When they go low, we go high.”

Jimenez asked Swalwell:
“Do you have any concern that it seems like ancient history at this point, but obviously, in the earlier Obama years, there was, of course, the old adage that at this point is old: ‘When they go low, we go high.’ It seems that fighting fire with fire meets them at that low point, I guess, to use that metaphor. Do you have any concern that this could overreach or could backfire?”

Swalwell responded:
“No. When they go low, we’re going to bury them below the Capitol. That’s what we’re going to do, because this is about protecting democracy. Right now, as you see, D.C. has been militarized, and we were weak as Democrats, frankly.”

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The remark immediately sparked backlash. Critics argued that a sitting member of Congress openly suggesting Republicans should be “buried below the Capitol” crossed a line into violent rhetoric.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) was one of the first lawmakers to respond publicly.
“In today’s edition of ‘Imagine the media reaction if I had been the one to say this…’ we have Eric Swalwell, without his Chinese spy girlfriend, on national TV saying Republicans should be buried below the Capitol,” Boebert said.

The exchange has renewed debate over political double standards. Boebert and other Republicans pointed out that had a Republican used similar language, media outlets and Democrat leaders would likely condemn the statement as “incitement” or “dangerous extremism.”

Swalwell has not issued any clarification following the CNN appearance. The comment has since circulated widely online, drawing scrutiny from both lawmakers and voters.

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