A group of 17 top House Republicans sent a letter Tuesday to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi demanding Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell be removed from the House Intelligence Committee after news broke about his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy.
The group of top lawmakers, led by Republican Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, call on Swalwell to be removed from the committee after a Dec. 7 report published by Axios show that Christine Fang, the suspected spy, became close with Swalwell and participated in his 2014 reelection campaign. Fang is also accused of having an affair with at least two U.S. mayors.
Fang reportedly put an intern in Swalwell’s congressional office, the report said. Swalwell was informed of Fang’s suspected ties in 2015 by the FBI by a “defensive briefing.” Swalwell has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
“We write to you today out of concern with Congressman Eric Swalwell’s reported, close contacts with a Chinese Communist Party spy recently reported by Axios. Because of Rep. Swalwell’s position on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, his close interactions with Chinese intelligence services, however unintentional they may be, are an unacceptable national security risk,” the Republicans told Pelosi in a letter first obtained by the Washington Examiner.
“HPSCI handles some of the most sensitive information our government possesses — information critical to our national defense. As such, we urge you to immediately remove Rep. Swalwell from his position on the House Intelligence Committee,” the letter stated. (RELATED: The New York Times Continues To Ignore Report That A Chinese Spy Was Able To Get Close To Intelligence Committee Member Eric Swalwell)
READ THE FULL LETTER HERE:
Daily Caller obtained Eric Swalwell Letter by Henry Rodgers on Scribd
“The House Intelligence Committee is instrumental in overseeing our national effort to counteract our chief global rival’s espionage initiatives; for one of its members to have had an undisclosed relationship with a foreign asset in the manner described by recent reports is unacceptable and dangerous,” the letter to Pelosi read. “For consistency’s sake, and more importantly, for the sake of our national security, you must remove Rep. Swalwell from his position on HPSCI.” (RELATED: Swalwell Spoke At Same 2013 Event As Alleged Chinese Spy Who Worked For Dianne Feinstein)
Swalwell’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller when asked about the Republican letter to Pelosi.