The Trump administration has reportedly been pushing to release records from an FBI investigation related to Eric Swalwell and alleged links to a Chinese agent as the Democratic congressman makes gains in the California governor’s race.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing “three people familiar with the effort”, that FBI director Kash Patel is pushing to release the files, even though there is no public evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part. The records stem from a decade-old investigation into a suspected spy who had developed relationships with US politicians and assisted Swalwell with fundraising.
An FBI official previously said Swalwell was cooperative with the investigation and was not suspected of wrongdoing. He cut off contact with the woman after speaking to the FBI.
The profile of Swalwell, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump who served as a congressional manager during the president’s second impeachment trial, has risen as the contest for California governor takes shape. The field of candidates to replace Gavin Newsom is crowded, with at least eight Democrats, including Swalwell, and two Republicans.
Republicans have led the race in recent polling, fueling concerns of a conservative win, because the top two vote-getters in the June primary will advance to the general election in November. A poll last week commissioned by the state’s Democratic party found that conservative political commentator Steve Hilton had the support of 16% of participants in the upcoming primary and Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff, had 14%.
Three Democrats, Swalwell, former congresswoman Katie Porter and the billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, were in a dead heat, with support from 10% of people surveyed. Swalwell has gained support from key forces in the state’s organized labor movement, including the California Teachers Association, which is expected to bolster his campaign.
Swalwell has suggested the Trump administration’s effort to release records is part of the president’s effort to target political opponents.
“The reason Trump is so desperately trying to stop me is not because I’m running for governor of California but because now I’m the favorite,” he said in a statement. “But Donald Trump and Kash Patel do not get to pick the next governor. Californians do.”
Prominent Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff and Congressman Jamie Raskin, were critical of the administration’s move.
“The FBI is attempting to smear a sitting US congressman, candidate for governor, and vocal opponent of the president. What the hell does that have to do with law enforcement? This is plain weaponization of the FBI for partisan political purposes,” Raskin said in a statement.
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