Overview
- Rep. Eric Swalwell’s attorneys sent a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel seeking a written pledge not to publish a decade-old investigative file tied to Christine “Fang Fang” Fang.
- The Washington Post has reported that Patel is weighing whether to release the records, while the FBI has not confirmed any plan or responded publicly.
- The letter warns the bureau could face legal liability and cites a 1974 privacy law that bars releasing such files without the subject’s consent, along with DOJ rules cautioning against actions that could sway an election.
- Swalwell argues the move is political and says he has never been accused of wrongdoing, noting DOJ brought no charges and a House Ethics review closed in 2023 without findings.
- With California’s gubernatorial primary set for June 2 and early voting beginning in May, allies such as Rep. Jamie Raskin say a release now would weaponize federal law enforcement against a candidate.