After a two-year investigation into Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) associations with a Chinese national and suspected spy, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee has concluded that no further action will be taken against the California Democrat. Despite the committee’s conclusion, Swalwell has been urged to remain cautious and conscious of the possibility of improper influence by foreign agents and governments.
Christine Fang with then-Dublin, Calif., City Council member Eric Swalwell at an October 2012 student event. (Screenshot/Social media)
Political Intelligence, Influence Operations
Swalwell has been embroiled in the Chinese spy saga since 2020, when reports emerged that he had been targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative known as Fang Fang or Christine Fang. According to a December 2020 report by Axios, Fang had targeted Swalwell and other political figures between 2011 and 2015 after meeting him in Dublin, California, when he was a city council member. Fang also reportedly took part in a fundraising activity for Swalwell’s 2014 reelection campaign.
A year later, in 2015, Swalwell was appointed to the House Intelligence Committee, at which time federal investigators alerted him that they were concerned by Fang’s suspicious activity and behavior and suspected that she was gathering political intelligence and conducting influence operations in the Bay Area. The Democrat immediately cut ties with Fang, who promptly left the country, according to the report.
Swalwell has maintained that he did nothing wrong and fully cooperated with the FBI.
Swalwell Blames ‘MAGA GOP’
However, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee in January amid the ongoing investigation, citing concerns over security. At the time, Swalwell called the decision an act of “political vengeance.”
He welcomed the conclusion of the investigation in a statement on May 23, declaring that it’s “time to move on” from the case.
Swalwell has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the Chinese spy saga.
The House Ethics Committee has concluded that no further action will be taken against the California Democrat.
Swalwell has been urged to remain cautious and conscious of the possibility of improper influence by foreign agents and governments.
Swalwell has maintained that he did nothing wrong and fully cooperated with the FBI.
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