Democrats decry ‘smear’ as Trump FBI pushes for release of Eric Swalwell file

California governor contender not accused of wrongdoing in decade-old inquiry into suspected Chinese agent The Trump administration has reportedly been pushing to release records from an FBI investigation related to Eric Swalwell and alleged links to a Chinese agent as the Democratic congressman makes gains in the California governor’s race. The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing “three people familiar with the effort”, that the FBI director, Kash Patel, is pushing to release the files, even though there is no public evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part. The records stem from a decade-old investigation into a suspected spy who had developed relationships with US politicians and assisted Swalwell with fundraising. An FBI official previously said Swalwell was cooperative with the investigation and was not suspected of wrongdoing. He cut off contact with the woman after speaking to the FBI. The profile of Swalwell, an outspoken critic of Donald Trump who served as a congressional manager during the president’s second impeachment trial, has risen as the contest for California governor takes shape. The field of candidates to replace Gavin Newsom is crowded, with