WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 10: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill December 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:10 PT – Thursday, December 10, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) came out in support of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), following reports of his past connections with a suspected Chinese spy.
In a press conference on Wednesday, the Democrat said she is not concerned with Rep. Swalwell’s ability to serve in the House.
Pelosi says she has “no concerns about Mr. Swalwell.” Adds she doesn’t “think background checks on every intern” are necessary.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 10, 2020
Earlier this week, reports broke that Swalwell was targeted by a suspected Chinese spy in 2014, which raised concerns about his judgment.
Republicans have criticized Pelosi’s decision to appoint Swalwell to the House Intelligence Committee shortly after the alleged spy-attempt.
On Thursday, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called Swalwell a “national security risk.”
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 10: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), surrounded fellow House Republicans, speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol December 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“Speaker Pelosi was notified, I was not,” McCarthy said. “I’m asking for an FBI briefing now, but if she knew and maintained Swalwell on Intel-wrong. He is a national security threat.”
He added that the Intel Committee is treated differently and that those who serve on it get information that members do not.
Pelosi defended her decision and said she still trusts Swalwell to stay on the Committee.
