Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Cali.) was one of a number of politicians named in an investigative story of an alleged Chinese spy that ran on the news site Axios.
That investigation found that a suspected Chinese agent “took part in fundraising activity” for Swalwell and that she allegedly carried on sexual relationships with at least two midwestern mayors.
The California congressman has watched his political star rise in recent years following an unsuccessful presidential and his seats on the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees.
Swalwell immediately cut ties with the Chinese national after the FBI alerted the congressman around 2015, Axios reports.
In recent interviews, Swalwell has suggested his criticism of the Trump administration could be behind the timing of the story and called for an investigation.
In an interview with Politico, Swalwell said, “I’ve been a critic of the president. I’ve spoken out against him. I was on both committees that worked to impeach him,” adding, “The timing feels like that should be looked at.”
During a Wednesday morning interview with CNN, Swalwell said, “Just over six years ago, I was told about this individual and then I offered to help and I did help and I was thanked by the FBI for my help.”
He added, “The story says that there was never a suspicion of wrongdoing on my part and all I did was cooperate.”
Swalwell then said, “The wrongdoing here is that at the same time this story was being leaked out, is the time that I was working on impeachment on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees… and I hope it is investigated as to who leaked this information.”
See his comments below:
WATCH: Rep. Swalwell speaks on Chinese spy story: "At the same time this story was being leaked out — was the time I was working on impeachment." https://t.co/6e49zXjJNU pic.twitter.com/n8cVLjgcGz
— The Hill (@thehill) December 9, 2020
The news of the alleged Chinese spy is just the latest in what has become a modern age of old-fashioned boots-on-the-ground espionage; one running parallel to cyber espionage.
In June, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese nationals with government ties were present at an internal meeting that included the president and other top Republicans.
Convicted Russian agent Maria Butina was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April of 2019. Butina worked to infiltrate conservative groups, most notably the National Rifle Association.