- The man left several explicit voice messages threatening the top Democrat
- “Hey fatball, you [expletive] A [expletive] Chinese spy. Catch Catch. “Fang Fang,” the man allegedly said during a series of voicemails in December
- Swalwell accused the “MAGA” Republicans of stoking the man’s hatred
A Florida man who threatened to kill Democrat Eric Swalwell and his three young children has been arrested, according to the Justice Department.
The man, Michael Shapiro, left several explicit voicemails at the Democratic office in Washington, DC, on December 19, calling him a “Chinese spy” and citing his alleged affair with alleged Chinese agent “Fang Fang.”
“Hey fatball, you [expletive] A [expletive] Chinese spy. Catch Catch. Catch Catch. I will come and kill your children, mother-[expletive]. “I will kill your children,” Shapiro, 72, said in a voicemail, according to the complaint.
“No threat will stop me from representing my constituents,” Swalwell responded to X.
Republicans have accused Democrat Eric Swalwell of helping Hunter Biden defy a congressional subpoena after the president's son held a dramatic news conference just yards from where he was scheduled to give his private testimony
A Chinese national named Fang Fang, or Christine Fang, targeted up-and-coming local politicians in the Bay Area and across the country who had the potential to make it big on the national stage, including Rep. Eric Swalwell
He went on to accuse “MAGA” Republicans of fueling the hatred spread by Shapiro.
“MAGA Republicans chose violence over elections, and that's what it looks like.” “But I'm not going away, and neither should you,” he continued.
Shapiro allegedly made the calls from his home in Greenacres, Florida.
In another of the five messages that began around 7:18 p.m. ET, he said, “You.” [expletive] a confirmed Chinese spy. You [expletive], [expletive]You [expletive]You [expletive]. You [expletive] a Chinese spy. Catch Catch.'
Swalwell and his wife Brittany have three children named Nelson, Cricket and Hank.
He proudly writes on his official website that their children are “growing up as Democrats.”
The Justice Department said Shapiro made his first court appearance Wednesday.
It's not the first time the man has run afoul of law enforcement. He had previously admitted to sending a threatening message to another victim.
He was accused of knowingly communicating an “actual threat of violence.”
A Chinese national named Fang Fang, or Christine Fang, targeted up-and-coming local politicians in the Bay Area and across the country who had the potential to make it big on the national stage, including Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Swalwell's ties to Fang Fang sparked a House Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct that began in 2021.
The committee ultimately took no disciplinary action against Swalwell and closed the investigation last year, but issued a letter warning lawmakers about the danger of foreign infiltration.
“Members should be aware of the possibility that foreign governments may seek to gain undue influence through gifts and other interactions,” the letter said.
Fang Fang left China in 2011 to study in the United States and then worked to build relationships with key lawmakers, including Swalwell, to gain access to sensitive information.
No threat will stop me from representing my constituents. The MAGA Republicans have chosen violence over voting, and this is what it looks like. But I'm not going away and neither are you. https://t.co/A4GcATb5GR
– Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 4, 2024
Swalwell's ties to Fang Fang sparked a House Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct that began in 2021
Swalwell and his wife Brittany have three children named Nelson, Cricket and Hank
She reportedly raised money for his 2014 campaign and attended a number of events attended by the congressman.
The FBI, which was investigating Fang Fang, first brought its concerns to the congressman in 2015. At that point, Swalwell said he had cut off all contact with the suspected spy.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy kicked Swalwell off the House Intelligence Committee last year because of his connection to Fang Fang.
Florida man arrested for threatening to KILL Democrat Eric Swalwell and his children by calling him a 'Chinese spy' in EXPLICIT messages and referencing an alleged affair with 'Fang Fang' called.