Former California Rep. Eric Swalwell was confronted by FBI agents the moment he stepped off a plane at San Francisco International Airport last month, according to newly released surveillance footage and court records. Agents served a sealed warrant and immediately confiscated the ex-congressman’s iPhone and MacBook Pro.
The encounter, captured on airport cameras, shows multiple agents surrounding Swalwell near the terminal seating area as travelers walked past. He was not arrested. The following day, federal agents searched his Washington, D.C., home.
The seizures are part of a federal investigation into allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Investigators are examining the case under 18 U.S.C. § 242, a civil-rights statute that makes it a crime for someone acting under color of law to willfully deprive another person of constitutional rights. Conviction under the statute can carry severe penalties.
Swalwell, a seven-term Democrat who represented the East Bay, resigned from Congress in April 2026 after multiple women came forward with accusations. One former staffer alleged he raped her on two occasions. Other women described unsolicited explicit messages, nude photos, and non-consensual contact. The House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation, and colleagues from both parties were preparing expulsion resolutions when he stepped down. He also abandoned his campaign for California governor.
In his resignation letter, Swalwell said he was “deeply sorry” for “mistakes in judgment” in his past while insisting he would “fight the serious, false allegation” against him. He has not been charged. Separate investigations by the Manhattan district attorney and Los Angeles authorities are also underway.
Court documents show the warrant was executed at 8:25 p.m. on a Saturday in mid-August. Agents took a white iPhone, a MacBook Pro, a charging cable, and a wall adapter, then left an inventory with Swalwell. The FBI’s San Francisco field office, specifically its Public Corruption and Civil Rights Squad, is handling the probe.
Swalwell, a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump who served on the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees during both impeachment inquiries, has not issued a detailed public response to the latest FBI action. His attorney did not immediately comment when contacted by news outlets.
The developments come months after Swalwell left office. His congressional seat was later filled in a special election. Federal authorities have not announced any timeline for charges.
A note on comments: Our advertisers enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy on racism, hate speech, and threats of violence. Any comment that crosses that line will be removed and the account permanently banned — no warnings. Debate hard, but keep it civil.