Swalwell Dismisses Chinese Spy Scandal While Beijing Hackers Tap American Phones

Paul Riverbank, 6/9/2025Chinese spy scandal deepens as Beijing hackers gain access to American communications infrastructure.

The Tangled Web of U.S.-China Intelligence Operations

America's relationship with Chinese intelligence has become increasingly complicated - and I've spent the last week diving deep into this evolving story. What's particularly striking isn't just the individual developments, but how they weave together to reveal concerning patterns about our national security landscape.

Take the latest chapter in Rep. Eric Swalwell's ongoing saga. During his recent "Breakfast Club" appearance, Swalwell tried to put to rest questions about his past connections to Christine Fang, an alleged Chinese operative. "The FBI and House Ethics Committee said it was bulls**t," he declared bluntly. But here's the thing - while Swalwell's right about getting cleared, the underlying story raises troubling questions about Chinese intelligence operations on American soil.

I've covered plenty of spy stories over the years, but Fang's operation was particularly sophisticated. She didn't just help fundraise for Swalwell's 2014 campaign - she managed to place an intern right in his office. Though rumors have swirled about romantic connections (fueled by her confirmed relationships with two Midwestern mayors), I've seen no credible evidence supporting those claims regarding Swalwell.

Meanwhile, the CIA isn't sitting idle. Their recent initiative targeting Chinese nationals with Mandarin-language videos marks a fascinating shift in tactics. CIA Director Ratcliffe's comment that "a lot of people in China are not happy" hints at internal tensions they're hoping to exploit. Smart move, in my view - though not without risks.

But here's what keeps me up at night: While Washington debates whether officials should use Signal for encrypted messaging (a legitimate but relatively narrow concern), Chinese state hackers have reportedly gained unprecedented access to our telecommunications infrastructure. We're talking about the ability to monitor phone calls and text messages in real-time. Let that sink in.

The Biden administration's response? A "cyber trust mark" program that, frankly, feels like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight. I've watched cybersecurity initiatives come and go over decades of covering national security, and this one seems particularly inadequate given the scope of the threat.

What makes this moment so critical is the collision of these various threads - domestic surveillance concerns, foreign intelligence operations, and our seemingly endless game of digital cat-and-mouse with Chinese hackers. In my 30 years covering politics, I've rarely seen such a complex intersection of security challenges.

The path forward isn't clear, but one thing is certain: America needs a more comprehensive strategy that addresses both internal security protocols and external threats. Until then, we're likely to keep seeing these stories pile up - each one a reminder of just how vulnerable our systems remain.

The Tangled Web of U.S.-China Intelligence OperationsAmerica's relationship with Chinese intelligence has become increasingly complicated - and I've spent the last week diving deep into this evolving story. What's particularly striking isn't just the individual developments, but how they weave together to reveal concerning patterns about our national security landscape.Take the latest chapter in Rep. Eric Swalwell's ongoing saga. During his recent "Breakfast Club" appearance, Swalwell tried to put to rest questions about his past connections to Christine Fang, an alleged Chinese operative. "The FBI and House Ethics Committee said it was bulls**t," he declared bluntly. But here's the thing - while Swalwell's right about getting cleared, the underlying story raises troubling questions about Chinese intelligence operations on American soil.I've covered plenty of spy stories over the years, but Fang's operation was particularly sophisticated. She didn't just help fundraise for Swalwell's 2014 campaign - she managed to place an intern right in his office. Though rumors have swirled about romantic connections (fueled by her confirmed relationships with two Midwestern mayors), I've seen no credible evidence supporting those claims regarding Swalwell.Meanwhile, the CIA isn't sitting idle. Their recent initiative targeting Chinese nationals with Mandarin-language videos marks a fascinating shift in tactics. CIA Director Ratcliffe's comment that "a lot of people in China are not happy" hints at internal tensions they're hoping to exploit. Smart move, in my view - though not without risks.But here's what keeps me up at night: While Washington debates whether officials should use Signal for encrypted messaging (a legitimate but relatively narrow concern), Chinese state hackers have reportedly gained unprecedented access to our telecommunications infrastructure. We're talking about the ability to monitor phone calls and text messages in real-time. Let that sink in.The Biden administration's response? A "cyber trust mark" program that, frankly, feels like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight. I've watched cybersecurity initiatives come and go over decades of covering national security, and this one seems particularly inadequate given the scope of the threat.What makes this moment so critical is the collision of these various threads - domestic surveillance concerns, foreign intelligence operations, and our seemingly endless game of digital cat-and-mouse with Chinese hackers. In my 30 years covering politics, I've rarely seen such a complex intersection of security challenges.The path forward isn't clear, but one thing is certain: America needs a more comprehensive strategy that addresses both internal security protocols and external threats. Until then, we're likely to keep seeing these stories pile up - each one a reminder of just how vulnerable our systems remain.