‘He’s an embarrassment’: Gee Scott slams Pierce County Sheriff Swank over social media presence

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank took to X to clarify the social media policy of the sheriff’s office after he posted a controversial question on his account.

“Here’s the policy: I am the Sheriff, and I can say whatever I want,” Swank wrote on X Tuesday morning.

Last night, a reporter from KIRO sent an email to my PIO wanting to know our social media policy. It’s obvious this person wants to silence me. Here’s the policy: I am the Sheriff, and I can say whatever I want.

— Sheriff Keith Swank (@Swank4America) September 2, 2025

This post came in response to a request for comment regarding the department’s social media policy after he wrote, “Do you think it’s time to ban trans people from owning guns?” on X the night before.

KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell criticized coverage of Swank’s controversial comments.

“Why are we covering Swank? That’s my question. I go back to 2015, and he would say all these outrageous, offensive, rude, disrespectful, inappropriate things. And the media kept covering it, thinking it was funny because he would never be elected, and it made him into this cult hero,” Angela said on “The Gee and Ursula Show.” “People were like, ‘He just says what’s on his mind. He’s not thinking. He’s just shooting from the hip. He’s being authentic. He’s being real.’ And somehow that made him qualified for public office.”

Swank later defended his post on “The Jason Rantz Show” on Seattle Red 770 AM.

“I think they’re trying to say I violated a policy and I should be held accountable, which is really funny because who holds me accountable other than the voters?” Swank asked. “They can un-elect me if they want to, but the fact of the matter is, the buck stops with me. I’m the one who makes the final decision about it.”

The Gee and Ursula Show’s previous spats with Sheriff Swank

“The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio has long disagreed with Swank’s policies and practices on social media. In July, Swank joined the show for a near-40-minute interview after one of his senior officers was arrested for suspected DUI and vehicular assault. During the interview, he accused both KIRO hosts Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin of having “Swank derangement syndrome.”

“No other sheriff in this state acts this way,” Gee said. “By the way, I’ve talked to some people with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and he’s an embarrassment. But do we just ignore it? Do you think that would be better? Because the interesting thing is, and I’m not saying you’re wrong, but if you go to his comments, 90% of the comments are backing him. Ninety percent of the people are really encouraged by what he’s saying. They love that he’s saying this.”

Swank defeated his opponent, Patti Jackson, in the race for Pierce County sheriff last year by nearly 8,000 votes. He is up for reelection in 2028.

“As far as him coming out and saying and asking a question, ‘Hey, is it time to maybe think about banning trans folks from owning guns?’ That is favorable for some people,” Gee continued. “Imagine right now if I were to jump on social media again. I am not saying this, but when I look at a post like that from him on X, that would be like me getting on X and asking a question, ‘Hey, should priests be banned from being alone with children?’ Now imagine if I said something dumb like that. By the way, I’m just giving you an example of how outrageous that would be. Dumb, right? I’m just a radio host. Imagine if I were the sheriff.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.