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President Trump delivers remarks at Darline Graham’s Senate campaign rally in South Carolina.
by MOLLY K. GIBBS | The National News Desk
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Newly released FBI records are shedding more light on the concerns behind a high-profile fight over former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s access to the House Intelligence Committee.
Then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, removed Swalwell from the committee in 2023, citing information he said he received from the FBI.
Swalwell, who represented part of California’s Bay Area, called the decision political retaliation.
The released records detail an FBI investigation conducted in 2013 and 2014 into Swalwell’s relationship with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative also known as Fang Fang. Authorities alleged Fang sought to build relationships with rising local and national political figures.
Swalwell met Fang in 2012 while he was serving on the Dublin City Council. The following year, he became a U.S. congressman.
According to the documents, Swalwell acknowledged having a physical relationship with Fang. The records also state that Fang assisted with political events, fundraising and placing an intern in Swalwell’s congressional office.
The FBI briefed Swalwell about its concerns involving Fang in 2015. Swalwell said he ended contact with her after that briefing.
Swalwell was never charged with wrongdoing in connection with Fang. A House Ethics Committee review of the matter ended in 2023 without action.
The former congressman is also facing a separate, unrelated investigation involving sexual misconduct allegations. The FBI recently searched Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., home and seized two of his devices in San Francisco, according to reports.
The allegations led Swalwell to suspend his campaign for California governor and resign from Congress as he faced another House Ethics Committee investigation.
After his resignation, Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of raping her in 2018. Drewes said she met with Swalwell three times and believes he drugged her drink during their third encounter.
Including Drewes, at least six women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
The newly released FBI records do not accuse Swalwell of committing a crime related to Fang, but they offer additional details about the information at the center of the 2023 dispute over his Intelligence Committee assignment.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.
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