Rep. Eric Swalwell sends cease and desist letter to FBI director over old investigative files - NBC News

NBC News
March 31, 2026
3 min read

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Rep. Eric Swalwell sent a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Wray over retention of investigative files.

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Rep. Eric Swalwell sent a cease and desist letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray demanding the bureau halt its use of investigative files related to the California Democrat. Swalwell has previously objected to FBI possession of materials from past investigations into his conduct, asserting the agency should not retain or reference such documents. The letter represents an escalation in the congressman's longstanding dispute with the bureau over records management and investigative oversight. Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, has characterized such file retention as an abuse of federal authority. The move underscores tensions between some lawmakers and the FBI over how the agency handles sensitive investigative materials.

What's Being Done

Rep. Swalwell sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding the FBI halt use of investigative files related to him.

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