FBI Seizes Eric Swalwell's Devices, Searches Home in Misconduct Probe

FBI agents seized former Rep. Eric Swalwell's electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday, August 15, and subsequently searched his Washington, D.C., residence on Sunday, August 16.

These actions are part of an ongoing probe into sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell. A court filing in the Northern District of California confirmed the seizure of an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. The search warrant was issued under 18 U.S.C. § 242, a federal civil-rights statute that applies when someone uses governmental authority to deprive another person of constitutional or federal rights.

Legal analysts suggest this indicates investigators are examining whether Swalwell used his official role to silence accusers. Swalwell resigned from Congress in April and ended his gubernatorial bid following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Accusations from several women include rape and unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos. Lonna Drewes, an accuser, stated in a news conference that Swalwell raped her in 2018 and believes he drugged her drink.

The House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into the allegations, and local law enforcement in New York and Los Angeles County are conducting separate investigations. Swalwell has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated. Newly declassified FBI records, released Monday, August 17, detail two FBI interviews with Swalwell. These interviews were part of a broader investigation into suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine "Fang Fang" Fang's involvement with illicit campaign contributions and funneling interns to Swalwell's office.

Former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had previously blocked Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee over his relationship with Fang. Then-Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jerry Nadler had defended Swalwell, calling McCarthy's criticism a patently unfair smear and absurd.