I interviewed Congressman Eric Swalwell about Trump's "drug deal," autism and social justice
Swalwell cosponsored a 2019 bill that President Trump signed into law providing resources to autistic people; now Trump is cutting those same funds in what he calls a "drug deal."
At the time of this writing, I am working on a book tentatively titled “Neurosocialism.” It details both my career and justice observations about social justice as a neurodivergent journalist, and given my nature, that inevitably means it becomes quite political. I’ve known ever since I was little that people with disabilities struggle if they don’t have access to a strong social safety net. Even before I could articulate that explanation, I observed other neurodivergent children — fellow autistic kids and fellow ADHD patients, as well as children with dyslexia and Tourette syndrome — flounder with family, school, jobs, friends and love.
That is why I admire Congressman Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. He co-sponsored the 2019 Autism CARES Act, which increased the amount of authorized annual federal spending on autism efforts to $369.7 million through 2024. This meant vital resources for providing social services like income assistance and health care, researching the prevalence of autism and effective therapies for patients, and ensuring that autistic patients have lifelong access to these and other necessities.
Needless to say, Swalwell is a liberal Democrat (though not a democratic socialist like me), and it is therefore not surprising he threw his weight behind the bill. Considering that in 2025 President Donald Trump is ruthlessly cutting these same services today, however, it is highly ironic that this same man signed that bill into law.
When I spoke with Congressman Swalwell for my book, we were very direct with each other about autism-related issues. He even referred to Trump’s acceptance of anti-autism bigot RFK Jr. into his administration as a “drug deal.” I’ve included that segment of our conversation below, which I believe speaks for itself as a commentary on how autism awareness has evolved in the last six years.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Can you explain the catalyst behind why you pushed for the Autism Cares Act?
Look, I have seen in my district too many parents and patients whose lives have been completely consumed in their odyssey to understand the cause of the autism therapies that are available and resources in their schools to allow them to be educated and have opportunity and enjoy a social life that they're worthy of.
But for too many parents, because of a lack of resources, it's a full-time job to fight for your child. And so this act would support federal investments, particularly from the Department of Health and Human Services, driven by science, to make that experience more beneficial and less of a challenge and burden on the families and the patients.
I'm glad you phrased it that way because you're talking about direct experiences that you've had with neurodivergent people and their families. Now I'm going to contrast that with Trump and RFK Jr, who I suspect have had very few interactions with these families. And if they have, they certainly have not been listening to them, because it sounds like what RFK Jr. is doing is claiming that autistic people are inferior, suggesting we be put on a registry and then cured. That's my analysis. But I assure you, I'm not the only autistic person who feels that way. What are your thoughts about autistic people who feel literally threatened by what Trump is doing?
We know how Trump views Americans with disabilities. I was appalled that he told his nephew Fred Trump, to let his nephew's son, his disabled son, die. I mean, that was shocking.
There is a book. It's called “All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way,” and there's an interaction between Fred Trump III, who is the son of Donald Trump's brother Fred, and they had an interaction where the nephew is talking to his uncle, the President of the United States, and the president essentially says maybe you should just let him die and move down to Florida. I mean, that is somebody who completely lacks empathy. And so of course, if he doesn't have empathy — as alleged in this book — for his own family, why would he have empathy for your family?
And then of course, putting RFK Jr. in this position to be in charge of all of our health care was really just the result of a drug deal where Donald Trump needed RFK Jr. endorsement to get his supporters, and to hell with what the consequences would be for anybody who is affected by RFK Jr.’s policies.
I like how you referred to it as a “drug deal.” I just want to point out I noticed that phrasing and I approve.
<laugh> Thank you!
At this point, I asked Swalwell about how Trump and RFK Jr. are cutting social services for autistic people. His answer to that question, in my view, provides this article with a perfect closing point.
“You know, talk is cheap,” Swalwell said. “And while parents of autistic children appreciated the president and RFK Jr. talking about autism as an issue that needs more attention, they have been let down by the actions that have reduced the data that can be collected and the science that can be applied to make their lives better.”
Back Seat Socialism
Column by Matthew Rozsa who is a professional journalist for more than 13 years. Currently he is writing a book for Beacon Press, "Neurosocialism," which argues that autistic people like the author struggle under capitalism, and explains how neurosocialism - the distinct anticapitalist perspective one develops by living as a neurodiverse individual - can be an important organizing principle for the left.