Rep. Swalwell is latest Trump foe targeted for alleged mortgage fraud

• New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Fed Governor Lisa Cook were also referred to the Justice Department on similar claims and denied any wrongdoing.

The latest: Federal Housing Agency director Bill Pulte — who referred the three other Democratic officials to the DOJ — sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi Wednesday, claiming Swalwell made false or misleading statements in loan documents, NBC first reported, citing an unnamed source familiar with the referral.

• Per NBC, the source said that the referral calls for Swalwell to be investigated over potential mortgage fraud, state and local tax fraud and insurance fraud, in addition to any other crimes.

Friction point: Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, has long been a vocal critic of Trump and played key roles in both impeachment proceedings.

• He was previously investigated by the House Ethics Committee over alleged ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative and told Axios he believed the probe was politically motivated, driven by his outspoken comments.
• Swalwell also sued Trump and his allies in 2021 for inciting "injury and destruction" during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

What they're saying: "As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me," Swalwell said in a statement Thursday.

• "Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come - I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world," he said. "Mr. President, do better.  Be Better."
• The Justice Department declined Axios' request for comment.