New Video Shows FBI Agents Escorting Eric Swalwell Through SFO as Feds Seized Phone and Laptop
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell was escorted through San Francisco International Airport by FBI agents on Aug. 15 as federal investigators seized his cellphone and laptop, newly released surveillance footage shows.
The video, published Aug. 31, offers the clearest public look so far at the encounter, which came as federal authorities intensified an investigation connected to sexual-misconduct allegations against the former California congressman.
Swalwell has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. He resigned from Congress in April after ending his campaign for California governor.
Federal investigators have not publicly explained the full scope of their inquiry. Court records show that the warrant used to seize Swalwell’s electronic devices cites 18 U.S.C. § 242, a federal civil-rights law concerning the deprivation of constitutional rights by someone acting under government authority. The supporting affidavit remains sealed, leaving important details about the investigation undisclosed.
What the FBI Video Shows
The surveillance footage shows Swalwell at SFO wearing a dark sweatshirt, hat and sneakers. He is carrying a backpack and pulling a small rolling suitcase when several FBI agents approach him near his gate.
Swalwell appears calm and cooperative as he speaks with the agents.
The footage then shows the former congressman being escorted through the terminal. Agents accompany him up an escalator and into an area marked “restricted area,” before he enters a room where several other people are present.
The video does not show agents arresting Swalwell.
According to the warrant inventory reported by multiple news organizations, the search was carried out at approximately 8:25 p.m. on Aug. 15. Investigators seized a white Apple iPhone, its charging cable and wall adapter, and an Apple MacBook Pro.
The FBI subsequently searched Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., residence on Aug. 16 as part of the broader investigation.
Why Is the FBI Investigating Swalwell?
The federal investigation follows multiple public allegations of sexual misconduct involving Swalwell.
Among the accusations is a former congressional staffer’s allegation that Swalwell sexually assaulted her. Another woman, Lonna Drewes, has publicly accused him of drugging and raping her in 2018. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
Separate law-enforcement investigations have also been reported in New York and Los Angeles County. Reuters reported in August that authorities in those jurisdictions were investigating allegations involving Swalwell.
The House Committee on Ethics separately opened an investigation in April into allegations that Swalwell may have violated the House Code of Official Conduct or other applicable standards, including allegations involving an employee under his supervision.
The committee specifically cautioned that opening an investigation did not mean Swalwell had committed a violation.
That congressional investigation ended with Swalwell’s resignation because the House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction applies to current members and staff.
The Federal Warrant Raises a Separate Legal Question
One of the most notable details in the federal investigation is the statute cited in the search warrant.
Court records identify 18 U.S.C. § 242, commonly known as the deprivation-of-rights-under-color-of-law statute. The law can apply when someone acting with government authority willfully deprives another person of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.
CBS News reported that investigators are examining whether the statute could apply in Swalwell’s case. However, the precise theory behind the federal investigation has not been publicly established because the supporting warrant materials remain sealed.
That distinction is important.
The seizure of Swalwell’s devices confirms that federal investigators obtained judicial authorization to search for evidence. It does not establish that Swalwell committed a crime.
No criminal charges against Swalwell have been publicly announced in connection with the federal investigation.
Swalwell Has Denied the Allegations
Swalwell has repeatedly rejected accusations of sexual assault and misconduct.
When he resigned from Congress in April, he acknowledged what he described as past “mistakes in judgment” while maintaining that a serious allegation against him was false. He said he intended to fight the allegations.
His resignation came after the allegations triggered bipartisan pressure for him to leave Congress and after the House Ethics Committee announced its investigation.
Swalwell had also withdrawn from the California governor’s race shortly before resigning.
A Dramatic Political Fall
The federal investigation represents another major development in the rapid collapse of Swalwell’s political career.
Swalwell entered Congress in 2013 after defeating longtime Democratic Rep. Pete Stark in California’s East Bay. During his more than 13 years in the House, he became a prominent Democratic voice on national security and gun policy and a particularly vocal critic of Donald Trump.
He served on the House Intelligence Committee and was one of the House managers involved in Trump’s first impeachment trial.
He also sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 before ending his campaign.
By early 2026, Swalwell was instead pursuing the California governor’s race and had emerged as a prominent Democratic contender.
That changed after allegations of sexual misconduct became public.
He suspended his gubernatorial campaign and resigned from Congress in April. The House formally received his resignation on April 14.
The Separate Christine Fang Controversy
Swalwell’s political history also includes a separate controversy involving Christine Fang, a Chinese national whom U.S. officials identified as a suspected Chinese intelligence operative.
Swalwell has said he cooperated with the FBI after being briefed about concerns involving Fang and ended his relationship with her.
That earlier matter did not result in criminal charges against Swalwell.
The China-related controversy is separate from the current federal investigation into the sexual-misconduct allegations.
His Former House Seat Has Already Changed Hands
The political consequences of Swalwell’s resignation have continued in California.
State Sen. Aisha Wahab won a special election in August to serve the remainder of Swalwell’s House term. She defeated BART Board President Melissa Hernandez in the contest for California’s 14th Congressional District.
The race became a closely watched Democratic contest after outside groups spent millions of dollars, narrowing what had initially appeared to be a substantial advantage for Wahab.
Wahab will serve the remainder of the current term, while the district will again be contested for the next full congressional term.
What Happens Next in the Eric Swalwell Investigation?
The biggest unanswered question is whether the federal investigation will eventually lead to criminal charges.
For now, the public record establishes that federal agents obtained search warrants, seized Swalwell’s iPhone and MacBook Pro at SFO and searched his Washington residence. Court records indicate that the investigation involves 18 U.S.C. § 242 and “other offenses,” but the underlying affidavit explaining the government’s evidence and theory remains sealed.
The contents of the seized devices could become important if investigators believe they contain evidence relevant to the allegations or to the federal civil-rights inquiry.
But the newly released airport video does not establish criminal wrongdoing. It provides a visual record of the federal search and shows Swalwell cooperating with agents.
For now, Swalwell continues to deny the allegations, while federal investigators have not publicly announced charges.
The next major development to watch will be a potential court filing, charging decision or formal statement from federal prosecutors.