Federal agents seized electronic devices from former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington, D.C. home as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The FBI intercepted Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday evening, serving him with a search warrant for his cellphone and other electronic devices. Agents then executed a search warrant at his Washington residence the following day, according to a person who was not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Investigation Tied to Assault Allegations
The probe concerns allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against Swalwell, who represented California’s 15th congressional district from 2013 until he left office in early 2025. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg confirmed in April that his office was also investigating Swalwell after a former staffer came forward with allegations, according to CNN.
Swalwell has denied all allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. His attorney, Arick Fudali, issued a statement saying the legal team was “encouraged to learn about the escalation of the FBI’s investigation into the allegations against Eric Swalwell.” The attorney did not provide further detail.
A Troubled Record in Congress
The investigation adds to a turbulent post-congressional chapter for Swalwell, who was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy following revelations about his contact with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Federal investigators had briefed Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell said he cut off contact. He was never accused of wrongdoing in that matter, and a House Ethics Committee investigation that opened in 2021 closed two years later without action.
The FBI’s decision to execute a search warrant and seize devices represents a significant escalation in the investigation. Such actions typically indicate that prosecutors believe there is probable cause that evidence of a crime exists in the location being searched or in the materials being seized.
Neither the FBI nor the U.S. Attorney’s office has publicly commented on the case. The White House declined to address the investigation. Swalwell served five terms in Congress and was a prominent voice on the House Intelligence Committee before his removal.
Sources: CBS News; Associated Press; CNN; USA Today; The Hill
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