Overview
- Rep. Eric Swalwell’s attorneys on Monday sent FBI Director Kash Patel a cease-and-desist demanding he stop any plan to release a decade-old investigative file and warned they will sue if he proceeds.
- The Washington Post reported Saturday that Patel directed the FBI’s San Francisco office to gather and rapidly redact the file for possible public release, while an FBI spokesperson disputed the report and said the bureau prepares documents for many reasons.
- The file traces back to 2011–2015 contacts with Christine Fang, who helped fundraise for Swalwell’s 2014 campaign and placed an intern; agents briefed him in 2015, he cut ties, no charges followed, and the House Ethics Committee closed a review in 2023 with no findings.
- Some FBI officials voiced concern that releasing the records could expose sources and methods, and leaders even discussed unusual steps such as sending agents to China or offering Fang a U.S. visa to seek her cooperation.
- The dispute lands as California’s June 2 primary nears and DOJ guidance discourages public steps that might affect elections, setting up a possible court fight and fresh scrutiny of whether federal investigative powers are being used for political ends.