Pierce County sheriff criticizes President Trump for Republican setbacks, warns WA’s red voters

One day after the 2026 Midterm Election, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank criticizes President Donald Trump on X for Republican setbacks amid early Midterm Election results.

“President Trump owns the Republican losses nationwide, and here in Washington,” Swank said. “He didn’t finish the war in Iran. Gas prices are up. Cost of living is up. Republicans are mad at him, and they either didn’t vote or they voted Democrats just to ‘show him’ how mad they are.”

Swank has previously supported Trump, specifically his immigration enforcement policies. This most recent post on X is a stark contrast, highlighting that Trump is to blame for what Swank predicts Washington Democrats will do in Olympia in the next two years.

In the post, Swank predicted Democrats will:

• Impeach Donald Trump, Pete Hegseth, and Kash Patel
• Defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Change the income tax threshold to $500,000
• More businesses will leave the state
• Challenge the results of Initiative 638

Remarks come as voters reject sheriff amendment

The post from Swank comes as Pierce County voters are rejecting Charter Amendment No. 53 by more than 66%. The amendment would end Swank’s term and let the county executive pick a replacement. Voters against the amendment have previously said it invades voters’ right to elect a sheriff.

The Pierce County sample election ballot Charter Amendment No. 53 reads:

“The Pierce County Charter Review Commission proposed an amendment to Section 3.70 of the Pierce County Charter concerning the office of Sheriff. If approved, Sheriff shall cease to be an elective office, and the current elected term of office shall terminate early, effective January 1, 2027. The Sheriff will be appointed by the Executive and confirmed by a majority of the County Council. Should this proposed Charter amendment be:”

Current results

Current results for Charter Amendment No. 53 are 66.7% rejected and 33.3% approved.

Related Charter Amendment No. 54 for Pierce County would create a new Public Safety Ombuds Office to provide independent oversight of the sheriff and sheriff’s department, The Seattle Times reported.

Current results for Charter Amendment No. 54 are 52.3% rejected and 47.66% approved.

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