Democrats are once again signaling impeachment threats against President Donald Trump, previewing what party leaders say could be a major political push if they regain control of the U.S. House in 2026.
During a weekend appearance on MSNBC, Rep. Eric Swalwell of California openly discussed the possibility of impeaching or defunding senior Trump administration officials over unresolved records connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Swalwell made the comments while speaking with host Laura Barrón-López, who asked whether Democrats were considering tools such as impeachment votes, inherent contempt proceedings, or funding restrictions.
“Yes,” Swalwell said when asked if such actions would only occur if Democrats retake the House. “We have to telegraph that this is what we’re willing to do if we’re given the majority.”
Democrats Revive Epstein-Based Attacks on Trump
Swalwell went further by reviving accusations involving President Trump and Epstein, asserting—without new evidence—that Trump must have known about Epstein’s criminal conduct.
“The question everyone has right now is what did Donald Trump know?” Swalwell said. “I know everything about my best friends.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and President Trump has previously distanced himself from Epstein, noting that he cut ties long before Epstein’s criminal convictions.
Pressure Mounts on DOJ Over Epstein Files
Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi over delays in releasing all remaining Epstein-related documents, which were mandated under legislation passed earlier this year.
Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ro Khanna of California have taken the unusual step of launching an “inherent contempt” effort against Bondi, threatening fines until additional records are released. Khanna has suggested the delays could potentially justify impeachment, though not all Democrats agree.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia called impeachment talk “premature,” pointing to past congressional efforts that used budget restrictions rather than impeachment to pressure federal agencies into compliance.
DOJ Says Millions of Pages Still Under Review
Trump administration officials say the remaining Epstein documents will be released, but the Justice Department disclosed last week that officials in New York uncovered more than one million additional documents potentially linked to Epstein investigations.
According to DOJ officials, reviewing and processing the newly discovered material could take several more weeks.
President Trump reacted sharply, arguing the focus on Epstein is politically driven and distracting from other national priorities.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Justice Department is being diverted from its core responsibilities by what he described as a politically driven distraction, arguing the administration should be focused on election integrity and other national priorities.
Swalwell Issues New Warning to Trump Officials
In a separate post on X, Swalwell claimed he was putting Trump administration officials “on notice,” demanding that all records related to what he described as abuses of power be preserved.
He accused the president of targeting political opponents and cited several high-profile critics of Trump as examples.
White House Pushes Back
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson rejected Swalwell’s claims, saying Democrats only raised concerns about Epstein when they believed it could be politically weaponized.
“By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with House Oversight subpoenas, and President Trump calling for investigations into Epstein’s Democrat associates, this administration has done more for victims than Democrats ever have,” Jackson said.
As Congress prepares to return from its holiday recess, Democrats’ renewed impeachment rhetoric is expected to intensify, setting the stage for another high-stakes political battle as the 2026 midterm elections approach.