FBI Airport Device Seizure
FBI agents seize former Representative Eric Swalwell's personal devices at San Francisco airport.
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Key Points
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Swalwell's iPhone and MacBook Pro were seized, along with charging accessories (charging cable and wall charger) during the Aug. 15 airport search.
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Video shows Swalwell at the San Francisco airport gate wearing a baseball cap, hoodie and sneakers, with a backpack and roll bag, being escorted by FBI agents into a 'restricted area' room as the search begins; he is not arrested.
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The following day, investigators executed warrants at Swalwell's Washington, D.C. residence to collect additional potentially relevant evidence.
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The warrants are filed under 18 U.S.C. Section 242—the federal civil-rights statute—hinting the probe may focus on abuse of power rather than only sexual-misconduct allegations.
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Public-facing allegations against Swalwell include claims from multiple women of sexual misconduct; for example, one accuser described rape in 2018, another alleged drugging and sexual assault, and others reported unsolicited explicit images; attorney Lisa Bloom is publicly associated with representing at least one accuser (Lonna Drews).
FBI agents surrounded former Rep. Eric Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport on August 15 and seized his iPhone and MacBook Pro under a federal search warrant New York Post. Video footage shows Swalwell cooperating as agents escorted him to a restricted area; he was not arrested. The warrants, filed under a federal civil-rights statute, suggest the probe may focus on abuse of power allegations alongside sexual-misconduct claims that Swalwell has denied.
The search extended beyond the airport. The following day, investigators executed warrants at Swalwell's Washington, D.C. residence Mediaite. The former congressman resigned from Congress and dropped out of the California gubernatorial race earlier this year amid mounting legal and political pressure.
Airport Seizure Caught on Video
Surveillance footage released to the public shows the moment federal agents approached Swalwell after his plane landed at SFO Yahoo News. He was wearing a baseball cap, hoodie, and sneakers, carrying a backpack and rolling bag. Four FBI agents led him into a restricted area where they seized his devices—including his iPhone, MacBook Pro, and charging cables Hannity. The operation was executed swiftly and without incident. Swalwell appeared to comply fully with the agents' instructions.
Civil-Rights Statute Signals Broader Investigation
The search warrants were filed under 18 U.S.C. Section 242, a federal civil-rights law Canada Free Press. This legal framework typically applies to government officials accused of abusing their power. The statute's use suggests investigators may be exploring whether Swalwell misused his congressional position, not just examining sexual-misconduct allegations in isolation.
Multiple Accusations Drive Federal Scrutiny
Swalwell has faced allegations from multiple women over recent years. One accuser described rape in 2018. Another alleged he drugged and sexually assaulted her. Additional women reported receiving unsolicited explicit images New York Post. Attorney Lisa Bloom has publicly represented at least one accuser, Lonna Drews. Swalwell has denied all the allegations. His departure from Congress and the gubernatorial race marked significant political fallout from the controversies.
Devices' Contents and Investigation Timeline Remain Unclear
The contents of Swalwell's seized iPhone and MacBook Pro have not been disclosed to the public Mediaite. Investigators executed the airport warrant on August 15, then moved to his D.C. home the following day. No arrest has been made, and federal authorities have not announced formal charges. The active investigation continues as the devices undergo analysis.
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