Newly obtained video shows federal agents confronting former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) at a San Francisco airport last month, seizing his phone and laptop as part of a criminal investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, according to The California Post and sources familiar with the action.
The video, obtained by The California Post, captures several FBI agents stopping Swalwell on August 15, just minutes after his plane landed. In the footage, agents are seen speaking with the former congressman before escorting him to a private area of the airport. Sources confirmed to The Daily Wire that the agents confiscated Swalwell’s phone and laptop without incident.
Swalwell, dressed in a discreet attempt to avoid notice—wearing sneakers, black sweatpants, a black baseball cap, and a hoodie pulled over his head—was approached by the agents as he moved through the terminal. The following day, federal investigators executed search warrants at his Washington, D.C., residence.
The investigation stems from allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced shortly before Swalwell was set to appear on the ballot in California’s gubernatorial election. A former staffer accused him of raping her on two separate occasions while she was intoxicated. Swalwell has denied all wrongdoing but ultimately withdrew from the governor’s race and resigned from Congress.
In a statement from April 2026, Swalwell defended his decision to step down: “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
Swalwell has characterized the allegations as politically motivated, aimed at removing him from a competitive Democratic gubernatorial primary, and has floated filing defamation lawsuits against his accusers.
The airport confrontation and subsequent search warrants mark a significant escalation in the legal scrutiny Swalwell faces. The investigation is separate from the previously reported FBI interviews concerning his relationship with Christine Fang, a Chinese spy who helped fundraise for his campaign.
Last month, declassified FBI files revealed that Swalwell admitted to having a sexual relationship with Fang, whom he met in 2012, acknowledging “physical relations” on “a handful of occasions.” He told investigators he was unaware of her involvement in a Chinese influence operation and has not been accused of any crimes related to that relationship.
The new developments add to Swalwell’s mounting legal and political troubles. The former congressman, who served California’s 15th district, has maintained his innocence in the sexual misconduct case, but the seizure of his devices suggests prosecutors are actively building a case.
Legal experts note that the FBI’s decision to execute search warrants at his home and seize his electronics indicates a serious investigation, though no charges have been filed. The probe’s existence was not publicly confirmed until the release of the airport video.
Swalwell’s resignation from Congress in 2026 ended a career that included high-profile roles as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a leading voice in opposition to former President Trump. His abrupt exit from politics came after the allegations surfaced, and he has since sought to cast the accusations as a smear campaign.
The California Post’s video provides a rare look at the former lawmaker’s attempt to travel incognito, underscoring the abrupt fall from grace. The footage shows Swalwell’s subdued demeanor as agents approach, a stark contrast to his previous public appearances.
The FBI and Swalwell’s legal team have not commented publicly on the seizure, and the investigation remains ongoing. The former staffer’s allegations, which Swalwell has denied, have not been tested in court, and no criminal charges have been announced.
For now, the airport confrontation and the search warrants signal that federal authorities are taking the allegations seriously, even as Swalwell continues to assert his innocence and hint at legal action against his accusers.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/see-eric-swalwells-incognito-airport-look-before-fbi-confrontation