Trending Now - FBI Under Scrutiny for Targeting Political Opponents in Trump Era

WHO:

Yahoo - Rep. Eric Swalwell accused President Trump of trying to sway the California governor's election by releasing old FBI files.

Yahoo - Swalwell stated, "What Trump wants the most is to have a Western White House. An enabler on the opposite coast."

Yahoo - Swalwell secured the endorsement of the California Teachers Association.

Benzinga - Rep. Eric Swalwell stated, "Kash Patel should be spending every moment trying to keep us safe, not scoring political points."

Benzinga - Sen. Adam Schiff criticized the Trump administration and Patel, calling the FBI's actions "as dangerous as it is unlawful."

Alternet - FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly leading a push to release files related to Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang.

The Washington Post - Sources indicated that Patel is instructing FBI agents to locate and redact files related to Swalwell and Fang.

Alternet - FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly leading a push to release files related to Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang.

The New York Times - Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, assisted Swalwell with fundraising during his 2014 re-election campaign.

Alternet - FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly leading the effort.

Alternet - Representative Eric Swalwell is a prominent critic of Trump and is running for governor of California.

Alternet - Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, is involved in the investigation.

The New York Times - The FBI is comprised of agents and personnel in California.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Swalwell announced his campaign for California governor on November 1st, 2025.

Yahoo - Swalwell stated, "We are at war. Gas prices are soaring. And threats against the homeland are on the rise."

The New York Times - The FBI has been instructed to gather documents on Swalwell and Fang, with a review deadline set for early April 2026.

Benzinga - FBI officials have discussed arranging for Fang to obtain a U.S. visa in exchange for speaking with agents, a move described as highly unorthodox and potentially risky.

The Washington Post - FBI leaders have discussed sending agents to China to determine if Fang possesses damaging information about Swalwell or arranging a U.S. visa for her in exchange for intelligence.

The Washington Post - The FBI has faced difficulty constructing a criminal case against Swalwell.

Alternet - FBI leaders have discussed sending agents to China to investigate whether Fang possesses damaging information about Swalwell.

The New York Times - The FBI has been instructed to gather documents on Swalwell and Fang, with a review deadline set for early April 2026.

Alternet - The FBI is reportedly working to release investigative files on Eric Swalwell that date back more than a decade.

The New York Times - FBI agents have been ordered to gather documents related to a decade-old investigation into Swalwell and Fang.

Alternet - The investigation into Fang began over a decade ago, focusing on her ties to American politicians, including Swalwell.

Alternet - A two-year House Ethics Committee inquiry concluded in 2023 with no further action against Swalwell.

Alternet - Bill Pulte referred Swalwell to the Justice Department for criminal investigation in 2025 based on allegations of mortgage and tax fraud.

WHERE:

Alternet - The investigation is taking place in San Francisco, California.

The New York Times - The documents are being gathered by FBI agents in California.

WHEN:

Yahoo - Swalwell's campaign announcement occurred on November 1st, 2025.

The New York Times - The review of documents by FBI agents is expected to be completed by early next week, specifically by April 5th, 2026.

The New York Times - FBI agents were instructed to gather documents in recent days, with a review deadline set for early April 2026.

Alternet - The investigation into Christine Fang began over a decade ago, around 2014.

Alternet - The House Ethics Committee inquiry concluded in 2023.

The New York Times - The FBI was instructed to gather documents in recent days, with a review deadline set for early next week.

WHY:

Yahoo - Swalwell claimed that Trump and Patel are continuing a "revenge tour" and interfering in the California governor's election.

Benzinga - Swalwell's campaign for governor of California is seen as a factor in the FBI's actions, as he is a vocal critic of Trump.

The Washington Post - The efforts to release the files are part of a broader campaign to build a criminal case against Swalwell, who is running for governor of California.

Alternet - The efforts to release the files are part of a broader campaign to build a criminal case against Swalwell, who is running for governor of California.

Alternet - The efforts to release the files are part of a broader campaign to build a criminal case against Swalwell, who is an outspoken critic of Trump.

The New York Times - The actions have alarmed law enforcement officials who fear the material could be used to smear Swalwell.

HOW:

Yahoo - Swalwell expressed distrust in the FBI's selective release of files, stating, "I don’t trust them one bit. This case is closed."

Alternet - Patel has reassigned FBI agents in San Francisco to review and redact files involving Swalwell's ties to Christine Fang.

The Washington Post - Supervisors advised agents to lightly redact the records and share them with senior administration officials in Washington.

The New York Times - Supervisors advised agents to lightly redact the records and share them with senior administration officials in Washington.

Alternet - Patel instructed FBI agents to locate and redact files related to Swalwell and Fang.

The New York Times - Supervisors advised agents to lightly redact the records and share them with senior administration officials in Washington.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 05:40 UTC)

Rep. Eric Swalwell has accused Trump of attempting to influence the California governor's election by releasing old FBI files, claiming that Trump desires a "Western White House" with an ally on the West Coast. Swalwell, who announced his campaign for governor November 1stst, 2025, secured the endorsement of the California Teachers Association and emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We are at war. Gas prices are soaring. And threats against the homeland are on the rise." He also expressed distrust in the FBI's selective release of files, asserting, "I don’t trust them one bit. This case is closed."

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 21:03 UTC)

Rep. Eric Swalwell has criticized Kash Patel, stating he should focus on national safety rather than political maneuvering, while Sen. Adam Schiff condemned the Trump administration's actions regarding the FBI as both dangerous and unlawful. The FBI has been tasked with gathering documents related to Swalwell and Christine Fang, with a review deadline set for April 5th, and discussions have taken place about arranging a U.S. visa for Fang in exchange for her cooperation, a move that raises concerns. Meanwhile, Patel has reassigned FBI agents in San Francisco to handle the review and redaction of files concerning Swalwell's connections to Fang, which are under scrutiny as Swalwell campaigns for governor of California.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 17:06 UTC)

FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly leading an effort to release files related to Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang, with sources indicating that he has instructed agents to locate and redact these documents. In recent days, agents have been gathering information, and they face a review deadline set for early April, as the FBI explores whether Fang possesses damaging information about Swalwell or if a U.S. visa could be arranged for her in exchange for intelligence. This push to release the files is part of a broader strategy to build a criminal case against Swalwell, who is currently running for governor of California.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 15:03 UTC)

FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly leading a push to release files related to Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang, who assisted Swalwell with fundraising during his 2014 re-election campaign. The FBI has been instructed to gather documents on Swalwell and Fang, with a review deadline set for early April 20th26, as part of a broader campaign to build a criminal case against Swalwell, who is running for governor of California. Supervisors have advised agents to lightly redact the records and share them with senior administration officials in Washington.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 13:18 UTC)

The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, is currently working to release investigative files on Representative Eric Swalwell that date back over a decade, focusing on his ties to suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine Fang. This investigation, which began around 2014, has raised concerns among law enforcement officials who worry that the gathered material could be used to undermine Swalwell, an outspoken critic of Trump who is running for governor of California. In recent days, FBI agents in San Francisco have been instructed to locate and redact these files, with a review deadline set for early next week.