Authored by Luis Cornelio via Headline USA,
Embattled Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who has long demanded that President Donald Trump release the Epstein files, now faces scrutiny as the FBI prepares to release documents tied to its investigation into his alleged ties to a Chinese intelligence operative.
The scrutiny comes after Swalwell demanded Monday that FBI Director Kash Patel refrain from declassifying the potentially damaging files, which could shed light on his relationship with Christine Fang, the suspected Chinese spy also known as “Fang Fang.”
On X, critics highlighted what they called blatant hypocrisy, pointing to Swalwell’s prior demands that Trump release the Epstein files.
One widely shared X post from July 2025 read, “Trump has the files. Why won’t HE release them,” in reference to the Epstein files.
Wait suddenly you’re against releasing files @RepSwalwell??? What changed https://t.co/AAwu8QRWlf pic.twitter.com/M47vWbRouz
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 31, 2026
On Sept. 25, Swalwell himself replied to a post from Patel, writing, “Blah blah blah. Where are the Epstein Files?”
On Oct. 7, Swalwell again pressed Patel, adding, “Where are the Epstein Files?”
Just 10 days later, Swalwell escalated further, branding House Speaker Mike Johnson the “pro-pedophile Speaker” and again demanding the Epstein files be released.
I refer to Johnson by his more accurate description, the pro-pedophile Speaker.
Release the Epstein Files.
Open the Government. https://t.co/NJRMHf6qoP— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) October 17, 2025
Swalwell conveyed his opposition in a cease-and-desist letter to Patel, urging that his own FBI files are not released.
“The congressman has never been accused of wrongdoing in that matter and your attempt to release the file is a transparent attempt to smear him and undermine his campaign for governor of California,” the letter said, as quoted by the leftist Washington Post.
It added, “Your actions threaten to expose you, others at the FBI, and the FBI itself to significant legal liability.”
The Post reported over the weekend that Patel had deployed agents to California to review the documents ahead of a potential public release.
The forthcoming release of the files could provide clarity on the FBI’s investigation into Swalwell’s early political career. He joined Congress in 2013 after serving three years on the Dublin City Council.
The probe centered on Fang’s alleged efforts to act as a Chinese intelligence operative by cultivating relationships with up-and-coming politicians.
Swalwell has not definitively denied having a sexual relationship with Fang. He purportedly cut off contact with her after being briefed by the FBI.
What Swalwell knew about Fang, and what he told the FBI, has largely remained speculative, but that could change if the files were released.
