FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to release files from a decade-old investigation involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and a suspected Chinese agent, according to a report from The Washington Post citing three people familiar with the effort.

The records stem from an FBI investigation into a suspected spy who had developed relationships with U.S. politicians and assisted Swalwell with fundraising activities. According to the reporting, there is no public evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell's part in the matter.

The push to release the files comes as Swalwell is making gains in the California governor's race, where he is among the contenders for the Democratic nomination.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, criticized the reported effort on Saturday. Raskin stated that "the FBI is attempting to smear a sitting U.S. Congressman, candidate for governor, and vocal opponent of the president."

The investigation in question dates back approximately a decade and involved the suspected Chinese agent's interactions with various U.S. political figures. Swalwell has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to these interactions.

The timing of the reported push to release the files has drawn scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers, who view it as potentially politically motivated given Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign and his role as a Trump critic.