Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif. Rep. Sean Hecker and Norm Eisen have demanded that the FBI stop releasing files in a decade-old case related to an investigation into a Chinese spy. The letter comes amid reports that FBI agents and other personnel in California have been instructed to redact sensitive information from documents in preparation for sharing with senior Trump administration officials. The lawyers, who were not directly accused of wrongdoing, called the release of the files a transparent attempt to smear Swalway and undermine his campaign for Governor of California. They also stated that any release would violate the Privacy Act of 1974 and violate his First Amendment rights. The decision to release the files could violate federal law in several respects and could violate Justice Department guidelines regarding taking action close to an election.