Lawmakers are working on legislation that would extend the statute of limitations for alleged crimes committed by a sitting president, Rep. Eric Swalwell said Tuesday.
Such a change would allow for prosecution once the president’s term ends.
“I don’t think any person should be above the law,” the California Democrat said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “What concerns me is that right now the president may escape criminal liability because he could win a reelection and the statute of limitations could run [out].”
Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, said legislation to allow for a sitting president to be indicted once they leave office is “in the works.” The statute of limitations for most federal crimes is five years, with some exceptions.
“I do believe there are indictments waiting for this president,” Swalwell said.
Swalwell has insisted the president colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election, pointing to Trump inviting the Russians to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails during the campaign. Trump has said that comment should be taken as a joke.
“His invitation for them to hack more. That’s direct evidence of inviting them to collude,” Swalwell said.
