Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) demanded Monday in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau refrain from releasing decade-old investigative files involving the congressman’s purported ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Swalwell was not accused of any wrongdoing when the FBI investigated him and the suspected spy, Christine Fang, a decade ago. “Your actions threaten to expose you, others at the FBI, and the FBI itself to significant legal liability.”The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Since taking the helm of the FBI, Patel has assigned multiple agents to explore the possibility of bringing a criminal case against Swalwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The push to release the investigative files suggests the FBI has struggled to build a criminal case against the Democratic congressman, people interviewed by The Post said.

Source: Washington Post March 31, 2026 00:05 UTC