Republicans wants answers.
House Republicans are intensifying their scrutiny of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, focusing on his past interactions with China. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has requested that FBI Director Christopher Wray provide details regarding any Chinese entities or individuals Walz may have been in contact with. Comer also seeks information on any communications between Walz’s office and the FBI concerning potential security threats or advisories related to Chinese government representatives. It remains unclear whether the FBI has had any such interactions with Walz.
This new investigation reflects a broader strategy by House Republicans to target their political opponents. As the impeachment inquiry into President Biden’s foreign business dealings nears its conclusion, Republicans are shifting their attention to the Harris-Walz ticket.
Walz’s connection to China is notable. He spent a year teaching high school in China starting in 1989 and has made numerous trips to the country over the years. Walz also held a fellowship at Macao Polytechnic University in 2007 and has participated in various educational and cultural exchanges with China. Despite his extensive engagement with China, Walz has also publicly criticized the Chinese government, including meeting with the Dalai Lama, a Hong Kong democracy activist, and co-sponsoring the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.
Comer’s letter questions whether Walz received any defensive briefings from the FBI, which would inform him if he was a target of Chinese intelligence efforts. It also highlights a meeting Walz had with Chinese Consul General Zhao Jian earlier this year and raises concerns about his participation in a U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association event in 2019, despite unclear evidence of his attendance.
In response, Walz’s campaign spokesperson Teddy Tschann defended the governor, accusing Republicans of distorting facts to distract from their own record. Tschann asserted that Walz has consistently fought against the Chinese Communist Party and defended American interests, contrasting this with what he portrayed as the Trump campaign’s record of praising authoritarian regimes and outsourcing American jobs.
Additionally, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), who is running for Senate, has questioned whether Walz adhered to foreign travel reporting requirements during his time in the National Guard, given his extensive travels to China.
Walz’s gubernatorial office has yet to comment on these developments.
