Newly released documents have revealed that former Congressman Eric Swalwell admitted to the FBI in 2015 that he had "physical relations" with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative known as "Fang Fang." The files, released by the White House Transparency Task Force under the title 'Rusty Thumbs,' detail the extent of Fang's interactions with rising Democratic politicians in California, including her role in bundling donations for Swalwell's 2014 re-election campaign and placing an intern in his congressional office.
Swalwell, who resigned from Congress in April amid accusations of sexual misconduct, told federal agents that he "occasionally hooked up" with Fang on at least two occasions. He described her as a "striking individual" but stated that the encounters occurred before his initial election to Congress in 2012. Swalwell also admitted to having a hazy memory of one of the trysts, attributing it to taking Ambien for sleep. According to a staffer, Fang had openly flirted with Swalwell, at one point reportedly telling him she was not wearing underwear. Swalwell characterized their relationship as casual, noting they frequently texted each other.
Fang fled to China in 2015 as federal investigators closed in on her activities. Swalwell severed ties with her and cooperated with investigators after being warned by agents in a defensive briefing. The FBI probe concluded without charges being filed against Swalwell.
Swalwell's attorney, Sara Azari, stated that the information in the released documents is not new and reiterated that her client "did nothing wrong." Azari expressed concern that the White House was using FBI files to target an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, calling the move a "political retaliation" and a "vehicle for political retaliation." She argued that an investigation that yielded no charges should not be resurrected for political purposes, emphasizing that "the facts have not changed. Only the political motive for publicizing them has."
The controversy surrounding Swalwell's relationship with Fang has persisted since it first surfaced publicly in 2020. Earlier this year, as the FBI prepared to release its investigative files, Swalwell's legal team reportedly argued that the Trump administration's actions were a punitive attempt to weaponize the Justice Department against him. Swalwell later withdrew from the California gubernatorial race in April, citing sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.
Discussions reportedly occurred between Justice Department lawyers and Swalwell's attorney regarding the file's potential release, with efforts made to keep it sealed. However, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi ultimately did not approve the release of the documents. Bondi has since stated that she never spoke with Swalwell or his legal team about the alleged spy nor directed anyone at the DOJ not to release the files. Reports indicated that Bondi was removed in April partly due to Trump's belief that she had alerted Swalwell to the administration's plan to release the files, a claim Swalwell has denied.
Bondi's office later asserted that her sole contact with Swalwell concerned "death threats to his wife and children."