Report: Eric Swalwell Allegedly Had Brief Fling With Katie Miller When She Was a 22-Year-Old Intern — Past Liaison Cited In Dispute Over DOJ Files

A Capitol Hill blog has published a report saying former Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell and conservative adviser Katie Miller had a brief relationship when Miller was a 22-year-old congressional intern. The report, published Aug. 6 by Sources Say News and summarized by PEOPLE, also alleges Swalwell tried to use the existence of that past liaison in efforts to influence or resist the release of files tied to his contacts with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, Christine Fang.

What the report alleges

Sources Say News says the relationship was long concluded and took place years before Miller married Stephen Miller, who later served as a senior adviser in the Trump administration. The blog also reported that Swalwell sent a cease-and-desist letter to then-FBI Director Kash Patel and that his legal team raised concerns about releasing investigative files that referenced Miller, suggesting such a release could be portrayed as political retaliation.

Stephen and Katie Miller with their children.Credit: Katie Miller/Instagram

Responses and verification

PEOPLE, which reported on the blog's story, said it could not independently verify the Sources Say News account. A source cited by PEOPLE familiar with the Department of Justice inquiry said the DOJ 'is not aware of communications from Swalwell's lawyers regarding Miller's presence in the files.' A source close to Katie Miller told PEOPLE she 'had no knowledge of their relationship being discussed with DOJ until this report surfaced.'

'I was an intern working on Capitol Hill,' Katie Miller wrote in a brief post on X, appearing to acknowledge she worked as an intern during the period in question. Miller has since worked as a congressional aide, served in the Trump administration, and now hosts a conservative podcast. She and Stephen Miller have four children.

Broader controversy surrounding Swalwell

The new report appears amid a separate, larger controversy: in April, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after multiple women publicly accused him of inappropriate conduct. Allegations reported in April ranged from unwanted explicit messages to claims of assault. Swalwell has publicly denied the allegations and said he would contest what he called 'serious, false allegations.' One day after suspending his campaign, he resigned from Congress.

California Rep. Eric Swalwell at a House Judiciary hearing on Sept. 17, 2025Credit: Win McNamee/Getty

Among the public allegations, Lonna Drewes held a press conference after a CBS News segment in which she said Swalwell spiked her drink at a hotel in 2018 and assaulted her. Those are among several serious claims that have been reported; many of them remain the subject of public discussion and potential investigation.

Why this matters

The Sources Say News report links a previously unreported personal relationship to legal and investigative maneuvers involving federal files. Because mainstream outlets have not independently verified every detail, the allegations should be understood as reported claims rather than established facts. Officials cited by PEOPLE emphasized that the DOJ investigates crimes regardless of politics.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org for help and resources.