Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (D-Calif.) said on Wednesday that it could be an impeachable offense for President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE to turn over former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul to Moscow.

"Republicans in Congress need to stand firm that we absolutely will not tolerate the President even considering turning over a US ambassador. If he were to do that, I think that would absolutely be grounds for removal from office," Swalwell, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN's Erin Burnett.

"I think if he were to do that, that would absolutely be grounds for removal from office." - @RepSwalwell on the prospect of President Trump turning former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul over to Russia https://t.co/VvO4Yn6EaG pic.twitter.com/lM5SBPgukR — OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) July 18, 2018

Swalwell's comments come after the White House said on Wednesday that it was open to letting Russian officials interrogate American officials — including McFaul, who served as ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014 — who are accused by Russia of committing illegal acts in the country.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference with Trump on Monday that the Kremlin would permit special counsel Robert Mueller’s team to travel to Russia and attend the questioning of 12 Russian intelligence officers indicted in the probe, if Russia is allowed to help interrogate some people “who have something to do with illegal actions in the territory of Russia.”

U.S. officials, including State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, have called Russia's request "absurd" and have asserted that Russia's claims of wrongdoing are not valid.

Russian state media reported that McFaul and Christopher Steele, author of the so-called Steele dossier, are among those Russia wants to question in its investigation into American financier Bill Browder. Browder is a prominent critic of Putin who lobbied on behalf of the Magnitsky Act, which imposed sanctions against Russia.

Swalwell is among a number of lawmakers who say turning over McFaul would be wrong for Trump to do.

"There's no reason we would open up our evidence files, send our investigators over there to let them review that. That would be like a victim allowing the burglar to set up the home security system. That's ridiculous," Swalwell said on CNN.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice also said it would be a mistake to allow Russian officials to question McFaul, calling it "beyond outrageous."