A senior Department of Justice official publicly criticized California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter following her response to the sudden exit of Rep. Eric Swalwell from the race, adding another layer of tension to an already unsettled primary, as reported by The New York Post.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted a response on X after Porter shared an endorsement from a San Francisco political columnist suggesting Democratic voters should consolidate support behind her candidacy.

Porter had highlighted the column, which referenced “rallying around Porter,” as the field adjusted to the fallout from allegations against Swalwell.

Dhillon reacted directly to the post, writing, “You’re a freak too.”

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The exchange came just days after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after four women accused him of sexual misconduct.

The allegations include claims of rape and other inappropriate behavior, which Swalwell has denied.

He announced the end of his campaign in a statement on X, apologizing to his family and supporters for what he described as “mistakes in judgment.”

Swalwell had been leading among Democratic candidates prior to his withdrawal, leaving a gap in the field ahead of the June 2 primary.

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San Francisco, CA./USA-Jan. 15, 2017 - Eric Michael Swalwell Jr. (Democrat) serves as the U.S. Representative from California's 15th congressional district.

His departure has prompted candidates to reposition themselves as they seek support from voters who had previously backed his campaign.

Porter’s post about the endorsement came during that transition period, as candidates moved to appeal to a broader share of the Democratic electorate.

The endorsement itself was published by a San Francisco-based political columnist and framed Porter as a candidate capable of consolidating support.

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The response from Dhillon, a top official within the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, drew attention online and marked one of the first public reactions from a federal official to the shifting dynamics in the California race following Swalwell’s exit.

Porter has previously faced scrutiny over her conduct in both professional and personal settings. In October, she threatened to leave an interview with a local CBS reporter over a question she objected to.

Footage from a 2021 video call later showed her telling a staff member, “Get out of my f–king shot,” after the individual appeared in the background.

Additional allegations about Porter’s behavior have surfaced in past legal filings.

Her former husband, Matthew Hoffman, stated in divorce documents filed in 2013 that Porter engaged in verbal abuse during their marriage and threw objects, including “toys, books, and other objects,” during disputes.

He also alleged that during one incident, she poured hot mashed potatoes on him. In a request for a restraining order submitted that same year, Hoffman said he was “routinely” called a “f–king idiot” and “f–king incompetent.”

Hoffman also alleged that Porter broke a glass coffee pot in their kitchen during a 2012 argument and restricted his access to a cellphone, saying, “You’re too f–king dumb to operate it.”

Porter has not publicly responded to Dhillon’s post or the resurfacing of those allegations in connection with the current campaign.

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The California governor’s race remains in flux as candidates adjust to the departure of a leading contender.

With the primary approaching, both parties are continuing to monitor how the field evolves and whether additional developments will influence voter support.

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