FBI Director Pushes to Release Decade-Old Swalwell File, Alarms Agents

FBI Director Kash Patel has pressed agents to gather and release a decade-old investigative file on Rep. Eric Swalwell and suspected Chinese operative Christine Fang, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move comes as Swalwell campaigns for California governor and the states primary occurs June 2, raising timing questions under Justice Department guidance about actions near elections, the report said.

FBI officials raised alarms that releasing files could compromise sources and methods, an FBI spokesperson said the bureau prepares documents for many reasons, and a 2023 House Ethics review took no further action.

Scores of FBI personnel in California were ordered to gather documents for a rapid review, and Patel listed Swalwell among 60 names in a 2023 book appendix.

FBI leaders discussed arranging a U.S. visa for Fang in exchange for cooperation, and agents were told to quickly redact files for possible release and finish a rapid review, the report said.