The Trump administration is reportedly pushing the FBI to release investigative files related to Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell amid his campaign for California governor, according to reporting Saturday by The Washington Post.
FBI Director Kash Patel is leading the effort to make the records public, the Post reported, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. The files stem from a decade-old inquiry into a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who had cultivated relationships with American politicians and provided fundraising assistance to Swalwell.
Notably, there is no public evidence that Swalwell committed any wrongdoing in connection with the investigation. He has not been accused of impropriety related to the matter.
Democratic allies of the congressman have characterized the push to release the files as a political attack, calling it a "smear" timed to damage his gubernatorial bid. The effort underscores tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats as the 2026 midterm cycle approaches.
Swalwell, a California representative who has served in Congress since 2013, initially faced scrutiny over the relationship after reports emerged in 2020 about his earlier contacts with a woman believed to be connected to Chinese intelligence. The congressman said he ended contact with the individual after being briefed by the FBI.
The congressman's campaign for governor has gained traction in recent weeks, positioning him as a potential frontrunner in the race for the state's top office. The timing of the administration's push to release the FBI records has drawn criticism from Democratic officials who see it as an attempt to undermine his political momentum through selective disclosure of investigative materials.
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