‘Pernicious nonsense’: Dems' Swalwell defenses resurface after FBI files released

Key Points:

• Newly declassified FBI records reveal former Rep. Eric Swalwell had a romantic relationship with suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine "Fang Fang" Fang and were part of a broader investigation into illicit campaign contributions and other activities linked to Fang.
• FBI agents recently seized Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport and searched his Washington, D.C. residence amid a probe into sexual misconduct.
• Despite initial defenses from senior Democrats and no evidence found of Swalwell engaging in quid-pro-quo or federal corruption, concerns about his relationship with Fang and potential security risks persisted.
• Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats previously defended Swalwell, calling efforts to remove him from the Intelligence Committee politically motivated, while former GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy argued Swalwell should not hold sensitive positions.
• The bipartisan House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Swalwell’s interactions with Fang in May 2023 without taking further action, though the newly released FBI files shed new light on the extent of the inquiry.