Congressman Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate for California governor, accused President Donald Trump over the weekend of trying to interfere in the race following reports that his administration may release files tied to Swalwell’s past connection to a suspected Chinese spy.
In several media appearances, Swalwell pointed to the report and told CNN that both Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel are “dangerous individuals.”
“Donald Trump and Kash Patel do not get to pick the next governor. Californians do,” he said Saturday.
According to The Washington Post, Patel has pushed to make public documents related to Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, who is suspected of working as a Chinese intelligence agent and building relationships with U.S. politicians.
Fang developed ties with Swalwell when he was a city council member in Dublin, California. She helped raise money for his 2014 reelection campaign and suggested staff hires. She was also reported to have had relationships with at least two mayors.
🚨 BREAKING: Rep. Eric Swalwell is reportedly FURIOUS and PANICKING that FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to release the files regarding the Chinese spy linked to him
Fang Fang is REALLY turning out to be a problem for Swallowell all this time later 🤣
Release it all! pic.twitter.com/8Ff1KHlSmh
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 29, 2026
Swalwell was not removed from congressional committees over the matter, but then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed the House Ethics Committee to review the situation in 2021.
In a podcast interview shared by the California Post, Swalwell’s campaign said he had been cleared.
“The air was cleared immediately by the FBI when there was even a suggestion of wrongdoing,” Swalwell said.
The episode has continued to follow him into the governor’s race. It recently resurfaced in a back-and-forth with Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who wrote online, “Call me crazy I like my politicians not to get tricked by foreign spies.”
Swalwell now appears to be trying to turn the issue to his advantage. In a video posted Sunday, he described the renewed focus on Fang as a political attack and suggested Trump’s criticism reflects concern about his candidacy.
“Donald Trump attacks me almost every single week… It’s because he sees me as a threat,” he said.
He also pointed to a federal criminal referral involving his purchase of a $1.2 million home in Washington, D.C., describing it as another example of political targeting.
“I’ll be a fighter and protector for California, as I have always been,” Swalwell said, framing his campaign in opposition to Trump.
