An official within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised concerns about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). The official warned that Walz's selection as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate could potentially make him a target for Chinese influence operations aimed at impacting U.S. policy.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer initiated an investigation into Walz's connections to the CCP, citing reports of his extensive travel history to China and interactions with Chinese entities. Comer has subpoenaed DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for records related to these alleged ties.
Recently, Comer made public a portion of internal DHS communications obtained from a whistleblower, revealing concerns among DHS officials about the CCP's efforts to influence politicians at the state and local levels, specifically Governor Walz.
The messages, exchanged in a Microsoft Teams group chat, highlighted worries about the CCP's strategy of 'elite capture' to co-opt influential figures like Walz for the benefit of the communist regime.
Comer's investigation delves into Walz's past involvement with a company that organized student trips to China, his fellowship at a Chinese institution, and his participation in events alongside Chinese officials promoting PRC's agenda.
Despite the subpoena, DHS has been criticized for its lack of responsiveness, with Comer accusing the agency of failing to produce relevant documents. The Committee views these documents as crucial for understanding and countering CCP's political warfare against the United States.
Comer emphasized the need for federal agencies to effectively counter the CCP's infiltration operations and vowed to explore all available options to obtain the necessary information for the investigation.
