House Ethics Committee ends investigation into Rep. Swalwell

Catch up quick: Axios reported in Dec. 2020 that Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, had targeted Swalwell and other politicians who had potential to gain national prominence.

• Fang had taken part in fundraising activity for Swalwell’s 2014 re-election campaign.
• Swalwell immediately cut ties with Fang in 2015 after receiving a briefing from federal investigators. He was not accused of wrongdoing.

State of play: The Ethics Committee investigation began in April 2021, according to the letter released this week.

• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) cited Swalwell's alleged tie to Fang as justification for removing him from the House Intelligence Committee when Republicans regained control of the chamber this year.
• “Nearly 10 years ago I assisted the FBI in their counterintelligence investigation of a campaign volunteer,” Swalwell said in a statement Tuesday, adding that “it’s time to move on.”

Swalwell noted that despite his cooperation and the fact that he was never accused of wrongdoing, an unnamed House Republican filed a complaint against him.

• "For years MAGA GOP has falsely smeared me to silence me," Swalwell tweeted, lauding the committee's decision to close the investigation without finding any wrongdoing.