F.B.I. Said to Dig Up Old Investigative Files on Democratic Lawmaker

The FBI has been instructed by the Trump administration to retrieve and provide old investigative files on Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, according to people familiar with the matter. The directive has prompted concern among some career law enforcement officials about the politicization of the bureau's resources. Swalwell, a California Democrat who has been a vocal Trump critic, was the subject of a counterintelligence investigation years ago involving a Chinese operative, though he was never accused of wrongdoing. The request exemplifies scrutiny the Trump administration has applied to political opponents and raises questions about whether law enforcement is being weaponized for partisan purposes. The move reflects broader tension between the White House and the FBI's career staff over the use of investigative authority.