Swalwell’s attorneys sent a cease and desist letter to Patel on Monday, demanding that the FBI not release the file, the Post first reported. Several of Swalwell’s Democratic colleagues have condemned the FBI’s actions.
“The FBI is attempting to smear a sitting U.S. Congressman, candidate for governor, and vocal opponent of the president,” Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, said in a statement on Saturday. “What the hell does that have to do with law enforcement? This is plain weaponization of the FBI for partisan political purposes.”
Here’s what to know about the situation.
What file is the FBI reportedly trying to release?
The file is related to Swalwell’s past association with Christine Fang, also known as “Fang Fang,” who reportedly sought to establish relationships with California politicians, including Swalwell, the Post reported.
Swalwell has said he cut off ties with Fang Fang after federal agents expressed concerns about her to him around 2015. Swalwell said that he assisted investigators who were conducting a probe into the situation. He was not accused of wrongdoing, and in 2023, the House Ethics Committee ended a probe it opened into Swalwell’s alleged ties to Fang, deciding not to take any action.
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