Eric Swalwell Panics, Threatens To Sue FBI Over ‘Fang Fang Files’

Rep. Eric Swalwell is threatening to drag the FBI into court as a political firestorm brews just weeks before California voters head to the polls.

Swalwell’s lawyers fired off a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing the bureau of plotting to release potentially damaging files tied to the congressman’s past association with suspected Chinese operative Christine “Fang Fang” Fang.

“[Y]our attempt to release the file is a transparent attempt to smear him and undermine his campaign for Governor of California,” Swalwell’s attorneys, Sean Hecker and Norm Eisen, said in a recent letter to Patel obtained by The Associated Press. “Your actions threaten to expose you, others at the FBI, and the FBI itself to significant legal liability. Indeed, disclosure of the investigative file would violate federal law in several respects.”

The clash erupted after The Washington Post reported Patel is weighing whether to release records tied to Swalwell’s past interactions with Fang, who authorities say worked to build relationships with California Democrats as part of a suspected espionage effort.

Fang helped raise money for Swalwell’s 2014 House campaign and placed at least one intern in his congressional office. Swalwell cut ties in 2015 after the FBI warned him about the alleged operation.

Swalwell with Christine Fang (Fang Fang)

Despite the controversy, the Department of Justice declined to bring charges, and a House Ethics Committee review wrapped in 2023 without accusing Swalwell of wrongdoing. The congressman has repeatedly denied any misconduct.

Now his legal team is warning the FBI could be crossing another line, citing longstanding Justice Department guidance that discourages overt investigative steps involving political candidates close to an election.

The timing is brutal for Swalwell. Early voting in California’s June 2 gubernatorial primary begins in early May, and Swalwell entered the race late last year, hoping to land in the top two and advance.

“It’s not lost on me that we’re 34 days until Californians start voting,” Swalwell told CNN’s Brianna Keilar on Monday. “We’ve consistently been in the lead in this governor’s race. And the president wants a Western White House.”

Swalwell has been one of President Donald Trump’s loudest critics in Congress and served as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment after the Jan. 6 attack.

The California Democrat is also facing separate scrutiny after being criminally referred to the Justice Department over alleged mortgage fraud.

Meanwhile, allies are crying foul over the FBI’s reported deliberations. Rep. Jamie Raskin blasted the idea of releasing the files so close to an election.

“What the hell does that have to do with law enforcement?” Raskin said Saturday. “This is plain weaponization of the FBI for partisan political purposes.”

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