FBI Director Kash Patel is moving to publicly release investigative files connected to Rep. Eric Swalwell from a decades‑old probe involving a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, three people told The Washington Post Saturday.
Patel has allegedly directed agents within the FBI’s San Francisco field office to prepare documents for release by rapidly redacting them ahead of making them public. The files stem from an investigation begun years ago that examined Swalwell’s interactions with an alleged Chinese intelligence operative, but did not result in charges or any official finding of wrongdoing.
The planned release of the files is part of an aggressive effort by the Trump administration to scrutinize Swalwell, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump and a Democratic candidate for California governor, according to people familiar with the matter. Such a move would be highly unusual, as the FBI typically does not make public records from investigations that did not result in criminal charges, The Post reported.
Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, is the Chinese woman who allegedly built relationships with Swalwell and other California politicians between 2011 and 2015. During that time, she assisted with fundraising for Swalwell’s 2014 reelection campaign and helped place an intern in his congressional office. After federal investigators raised concerns about her potential ties to Chinese intelligence around 2015, Swalwell reportedly severed all contact and cooperated with authorities.
Since taking over as FBI director, Patel has prioritized pursuing a potential case against Swalwell, reassigning multiple agents in the San Francisco field office to revisit the matter. FBI leadership has also considered sending agents to China to interview the suspected intelligence operative involved, believing she may possess damaging information, two insiders told The Post.
Swalwell was never accused of wrongdoing during the FBI’s investigation into his past interactions with Fang, and the matter did not result in any charges. A later, two-year review by the Republican-led House Ethics Committee concluded in 2023 with no findings against him, ultimately deciding to take no further action.
Despite the case previously closing without action, FBI leaders have recently discussed offering Fang a U.S. visa in exchange for agreeing to speak with agents about Swalwell, according to people familiar with the matter. Such a move would be highly unusual, given that Fang has been suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence, and granting entry under those circumstances would break from typical national security practices.
An FBI spokesperson disputed any notion of improper motives in a statement to The Post.
“The contentions in this story are incorrect. This FBI, being the most transparent in history, prepares documents for numerous different reasons, including for release to different agencies and departments to further review investigations that may have been opened under previous administrations,” the spokesperson said.
The effort to release the investigative files indicates the FBI has so far been unable to build a criminal case against Swalwell, according to those familiar with the situation. Even without incriminating evidence, the files could still include detailed and potentially sensitive information about Swalwell’s personal life and campaign operations.
Swalwell told The Independent in a statement, "Through great reporting, we now know the outrageous ends the White House will go to target political opponents. The reason Trump is so desperately trying to stop me is not because I'm running for Governor of California but because now I'm the favorite. But Donald Trump and Kash Patel do not get to pick the next Governor. Californians do."
The Independent has contacted the FBI for comment.
