Democrat Eric Swalwell Dodges More Questions on His Connections to Chinese Spy
'Don’t take it from me. There was no wrongdoing'
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Democrat California Rep. Eric Swalwell has dodged more questions regarding his contacts with alleged Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intelligence operative Christine Fang.
Swalwell was pressed by CNN anchor Jake Tapper on his relationship with Fang, who was reportedly working on behalf of China’s ministry of state security.
Last year, Swalwell attempted to blame a wild conspiracy theory for the bombshell report linking him to a notorious Chinese spy.
Axios published an apparent exposé about him and Fang, who he met in 2011 when he served as a member of the city council in Dublin, California.
Fang helped Swalwell's campaign for re-election to U.S. Congress in 2014, while an intern was planted in his congressional office.
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After Swalwell was selected to serve on the House Intelligence Committee in 2015, the FBI briefed him about Fang.
WATCH:
CNN's @jaketapper asks Rep. Eric Swalwell to clarify how much contact he had with the Chinese spy and about calls from Republicans for his removal from the Intel Committee:
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 25, 2021
"The FBI has said that I did nothing wrong... I think this is retaliation more than anything else." pic.twitter.com/f8bCymXlrE
Swalwell claimed after the briefing he had cut off contact with Fang.
Fang left the country that year and has not come back to the U.S., Axios reported.
It is still not clear if Swalwell’s relationship with Fang was more than just politics.
Fang also had romantic relationships with at least two mayors, according to Axios.
But Swalwell has repeatedly declined to discuss his contacts with Fang.
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“Have you learned any more about this case since this broke in early December? And can you clarify how much contact you had with this Chinese national?” CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Swalwell.
“The FBI has said that I did nothing wrong,” he said.
“Don’t take it from me. There was no wrongdoing. I’ve learned nothing new.”
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this week reappointed Swalwell to return to the Homeland Security Committee, despite the controversy.
House Republicans called for a full investigation into Democrat Swalwell after his long-standing relationship with Fang emerged.
Some lawmakers have also been pushing for Swalwell's removal from Congress over the scandal.
Despite the widespread concerns over Swalwell being potentially compromised, Speaker Pelosi announced his appointment to the national security committee Thursday evening.
