ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A year after resigning from the U.S. Department of Justice in protest, former federal prosecutor and Marine Ryan Crosswell is running as a Democrat in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.
Joining host Tom Shortell on this week's Political Pulse, Crosswell said his campaign is focused on two priorities: lowering costs for families and defending democratic institutions.
“People are really struggling,” he said, pointing to health care, housing, energy, education and child care as areas driving affordability concerns. He added that the country is at “an inflection point,” with voters questioning whether government can still deliver.
Crosswell drew national attention after stepping down over what he described as political interference in the Justice Department. He has accused former President Donald Trump of using the agency against perceived rivals and warned that dropping charges for political allies undermines the rule of law.
“The problem here is when you drop charges against people who acquiesce to the Trump administration, it is only a matter of time before you see charges brought against those who don't,” he said.
"The problem here is when you drop charges against people who acquiesce to the Trump administration, it is only a matter of time before you see charges brought against those who don't."Ryan Crosswell
On immigration enforcement, Crosswell said local officials should determine whether cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement makes communities safer. He argued ICE has violated Fourth Amendment protections and said he respects local law enforcement decisions not to cooperate if they believe it is "detrimental."
Though he remained a Republican through the first Trump term, Crosswell said his previous roles as a Marine and federal prosecutor were nonpartisan. He described the 2024 election as “really, really jarring” and now argues Democrats are best positioned to defend democratic norms.
Republican incumbent Ryan McKenzie has criticized Crosswell as a “carpetbagger.” Crosswell, who grew up in Pottsville, rejected the label and said he has always considered himself a Pennsylvanian. Furthermore, he said he has been welcomed back to the region.
"I find that to be insulting, quite frankly, to Pennsylvanians who have left to serve their country, and I find that people have welcomed me, coming home. It's touching," he said.
The 7th Congressional District, which includes much of the Lehigh Valley, is expected to be competitive in November.
Watch the full interview with Crosswell in the YouTube player above, and see interviews with other PA-7 candidates by clicking HERE to access the full Political Pulse playlist.
