Eric Swalwell: release the Epstein files, but not the Fang Fang files

Eric Swalwell wants the Jeffrey Epstein files released — just not the Fang Fang files.

Back in September, Swalwell grilled FBI director Kash Patel in Congress, accusing him of covering up for Donald Trump — without any evidence of wrongdoing by the president.

“If the president is not implicated, then why not release everything?”

Patel replied that the FBI had released everything that it could under the law.

That wasn’t good enough for Swalwell 

But now, all of a sudden, Swalwell doesn’t like the idea of the FBI releasing files.

That’s because this time, the files involve documents about Christine Fang, or Fang Fang, an alleged Chinese spy who reportedly had a relationship with Swalwell.

He had his lawyers send a “cease-and-desist” letter to Patel, and is threatening to sue, accusing the FBI of a “horrendous abuse of power” and a “smear” campaign.

His lawyers claimed that Swalwell “has never been accused of wrongdoing” in the Fang Fang affair.

So what?

If we apply the same principle to the Fang Fang files that Swalwell tried to apply to the Jeffrey Epstein files, then the FBI should release everything it has — and we should assume the worst about anyone trying to stop it.

Swalwell is also upset about a federal investigation into his D.C. mortgage, which he borrowed for a “primary residence” in the capital while also claiming to be a California resident.

And no doubt he is also upset that people are scrutinizing that California residence, which appears to consist of a single room in the home of a political ally. 

Swalwell feels he is being singled out for political purposes.

“Donald Trump and Kash Patel do not get to pick the next governor. Californians do,” Swalwell said.

He’s right. Politicians from the opposing party should not be able to pick who is eligible to run for office.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Swalwell had followed his own advice?

Swalwell and then-Representative Adam Schiff abused their position on the House Intelligence Committee to investigate President Donald Trump with the goal of impeaching him.

Schiff and the Democrats called witnesses in a secret room in the Capitol, where other members of Congress, and the general public, could not see what was going on. 

The committee would leak claims about testimony — which were often contradicted by the actual transcripts of the depositions.

Then, after “auditioning” witnesses, Schiff only let some of them testify in public — those he felt would best make the case against overturning the 2016 election and removing Trump from office.

Also, in the course of that investigation, the House spied on the phone calls of various Trump associates, including his lawyer — and Kash Patel.

Swalwell was later one of the House managers for Trump’s second impeachment, which was an unconstitutional attempt to bar a former president from running for office.

Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Whether or not the FBI releases the Fang Fang files, Swalwell may finally be learning that everyone deserves equal protection of the law.

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