Rudy Giuliani Claims Eric Swalwell Had Ties to Chinese Intelligence

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani stated on Sunday that former Representative Eric Swalwell required a comprehensive federal investigation concerning his past association with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Speaking in an interview on Newsmax, Giuliani argued that the connection warranted a deeper official probe than what was publicly conducted at the time.

According to Giuliani’s appearance on Newsmax, the inquiry into Swalwell should have been more exhaustive given the nature of the intelligence concerns involving the operative, known as Fang Fang or Christine Fang. Giuliani told the network that lawmakers with potential exposure to foreign intelligence networks need rigorous scrutiny to ensure national security protocols are maintained.

Swalwell’s interactions with the suspected operative first drew public scrutiny following reporting by Axios in December 2020. That investigative reporting detailed how Fang had targeted up-and-coming local and national politicians in California and elsewhere, including Swalwell, between 2011 and 2015.

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials reportedly briefed Swalwell about Fang in 2015 during a defensive briefing. Following that interaction, Swalwell cut off contact with the operative, and intelligence officials did not accuse the lawmaker of any criminal wrongdoing or illegal behavior during the encounters.

House Republican leaders subsequently called for Swalwell to be removed from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pressed for Swalwell’s dismissal from the panel in late 2020 and early 2021, though Democratic leadership defended the California Democrat at the time, noting that he cooperated with investigators once authorities alerted him.

Giuliani’s latest remarks on Newsmax brought renewed attention to the historical intelligence case. The former mayor maintained that public officials linked to foreign actors should face complete administrative and investigative reviews, reiterating his critique of how federal agencies handled the initial intelligence findings.