Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has searched the Washington, D.C., home of former U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell. As part of the investigation, agents also seized several electronic devices from Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport. According to the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, the operation is related to an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell.

Citing sources familiar with the investigation, AP reported that FBI agents took electronic devices from Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport on August 15. The following day, agents searched his residence in Washington, D.C. There has been no public indication that Swalwell has been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Several women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. The allegations include sexual assault, sending unwanted sexually explicit messages or images, and an allegation of rape made by a former employee. Swalwell has denied the allegations and said he intends to fight the accusations.

Resignation From Congress

After the allegations became public, Swalwell resigned from Congress in April 2026. At the same time, he withdrew from his campaign for governor of California. According to Reuters, four women had made various allegations against him before he made the decision to step down.

Swalwell was once a prominent figure in national Democratic politics. He was also one of President Donald Trump’s outspoken critics and competed for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2019.

Documents Reveal Contact With Suspected Chinese Spy

Alongside the current FBI search, an older issue involving Swalwell has also resurfaced. Recently released declassified FBI documents show that Swalwell told investigators he had a sexual relationship with Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, who was suspected of having ties to Chinese intelligence operations.

According to the documents, Swalwell told the FBI in 2015 that he had a sexual relationship with Fang on several occasions. Between 2012 and 2015, Fang developed relationships with several people in California’s political circles. U.S. intelligence officials investigated her over suspected ties to Chinese intelligence activities.

However, Swalwell was never charged with a crime or found to have committed wrongdoing in connection with the Chinese spy investigation. According to the released documents and recent reports, the FBI viewed Swalwell as cooperative at the time, and no criminal action was taken against him.

Two Investigations Are Separate

The recent FBI search has not been independently confirmed as part of a Chinese espionage investigation. According to AP and Reuters, the current operation is related to the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

The separate issue involving Swalwell’s past contact with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang was part of a years-old counterintelligence investigation, records from which have recently been released.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice have not publicly provided detailed information about the current search and investigation. It remains unclear what information investigators may find on the seized devices or what the next steps in the investigation will be. As the investigation remains ongoing, the sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell remain allegations only. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.