FBI raids ex-US Representative Swalwell’s home amid sexual misconduct probe

WASHINGTON, 21 AUGUST 2026 —

Federal agents raided the Washington, DC, home of former US Representative Eric Swalwell on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, US media reported.

The FBI also seized Swalwell’s electronic devices at San Francisco International Airport over the weekend, according to multiple reports. The bureau declined to comment when contacted by Al Jazeera.

The raid follows Swalwell’s resignation from Congress in April after a woman publicly accused him of sexual assault during his time in office. Four additional women have alleged other forms of sexual misconduct. Swalwell subsequently withdrew from California’s gubernatorial race, where he had been a frontrunner.

Swalwell, a prominent Democratic critic of former President Donald Trump, was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 due to concerns over his past relationship with Christine Fang, a woman US authorities suspected of being a Chinese spy. Swalwell said he ended the relationship after being alerted by federal agents. A House Ethics Committee investigation into the matter was later closed with no action taken.

Swalwell gained national attention during Trump’s first term as a Democratic prosecutor in the impeachment proceedings against Trump over the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. This week, the White House released FBI documents related to his relationship with Fang. Swalwell’s lawyer described the release as an attempt to “punish an outspoken critic of the current administration,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Trump has repeatedly pledged retribution against political opponents, with several facing scrutiny from the Department of Justice, including former FBI Director James Comey, who has been charged in connection with a social media post prosecutors claimed amounted to a direct threat against the president.

The FBI raid coincides with a closely contested special election to fill Swalwell’s vacant congressional seat. As of Thursday, progressive candidate Aisha Wahab held a narrow lead of about 300 votes over fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez, who benefited from late spending by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Related: Intel · Washington