Weighing a presidential run, Eric Swalwell calls Trump a 'wrecking ball'

William Petroski | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption Eric Swalwell speaks at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox Rep. Eric Swalwell, a democrat from California, speaks on the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox, on Aug. 11, 2018, at the Iowa State Fair.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat weighing a possible 2020 presidential run, told Iowans Saturday that President Donald Trump is a "wrecking ball" chief executive and called on voters to express their voices in November's elections.

"I have hope for Iowa and I have hope for America," said Swalwell, who was making his 10th trip to Iowa since Trump was elected president in 2016. He particularly urged Iowans to work for Democratic candidates running for the U.S. House, and for Democrat Fred Hubbell's campaign for governor.

Swalwell, 37, who is serving his third term in Congress, spoke to about 100 people who repeatedly applauded him while on the Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.

Swalwell was born in Sac City, Iowa, but moved to California when he was five. He holds a law degree from the University of Maryland and represents a district in the San Francisco Bay area. He hopes to make a decision on a presidential bid after the November midterms.

Swallwell has been a frequent speaker around Iowa, helping Democrats campaign for state and federal offices. He became well-known as a House Intelligence Committee member and often appears on cable news to discuss Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

He said Saturday that Americans are working harder than ever but their wages aren't rising enough because of what he describes as the "Trump slump."

Swalwell said he doesn't consider the press to be the "enemy of the people" as Trump has repeatedly alleged, and believes the Republican tax overhaul primarily helps the country's most affluent citizens. He also called for background checks on every firearms purchase.

On other issues, Swalwell opposes Trump's proposed wall on the southern border and favors stronger environmental protections to ensure Americans can drink clean water and breathe clean air.

Swalwell joked that the only debt-free education he has received has been a doctorate in Russian studies. "We have seen the past 18 months what the Russians tried to do to our democracy," he added.

He said Russian operatives "wanted to attack the idea of America" in the 2016 presidential election, but lamented most Republicans aren't supporting efforts to make reforms. The best way to ensure change is to elect Democrats, he insisted.

Jesse Dougherty, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Iowa, dismissed Swalwell's criticism of Trump and Republicans.

"If Swalwell thinks he can win Iowa by repeating" Hillary Clinton's "failed 'resist' campaign, he’s in for a rough few years," Dougherty said.

More: View the stories, photos and video from all the candidates at DesMoinesRegister.com/Soapbox.