Swalwell accuses Trump of trying to influence California governor's race with old FBI files

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Rep.Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for governor of California, has accused President Trump of trying to sway the election following reports that FBI Director Kash Patel may release documents from a decade-old investigation into the congressman’s ties to a suspected Chinese spy.

Patel directed agents in the bureau’s San Francisco office to redact the case files for public release, according to a report by the Washington Post, a highly unusual move by the FBI to release case files tied to a probe that did not result in criminal charges.The investigation centered on Swalwell’s ties to a suspected intelligence operative, Christine Fang, or Fang Fang, who worked as a volunteer raising money for his congressional campaign.Swalwell cut off ties to Fang in 2015, after intelligence officials briefed him and other members of Congress about Chinese efforts to infiltrate the legislative body.

Swalwell, among the frontrunners in the sprawling field of candidates for California governor, was not accused of impropriety.The White House referred questions to the FBI and the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“We are at war.Gas prices are soaring.

And threats against the homeland are on the rise.But instead of concentrating on the issues most important to this country, Donald Trump and Kash Patel have decided to continue their revenge tour and to interfere in the California Governor’s election,” Swalwell told The Times on Sunday.

“They believe they will get a servant in Sacramento.”Swalwell said he has not been contacted by the FBI, but “considering how they have selectively released or not released files recently, I don’t trust them one bit.This case is closed.”Swalwell accused Trump of “desperately trying” to stop him, because he’s now the favored candidate for California governor.

Swalwell and former...