According to the Washington Examiner, the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is investigating Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz's extensive connections to China amid national security concerns.
The probe focuses on Tim Walz's many trips to China, his interactions with organizations linked to the Chinese government, and his political stance towards the country.
Oversight Chairman James Comer highlighted that Walz has made 30 visits to China and expressed concern about the potential impact on U.S. national security. Comer has requested the FBI release details on Walz’s dealings with Chinese officials and related entities in response.
In 1993, Tim Walz, then a teacher, organized a student trip to China that received funding from the Chinese government. This trip marks one of the earliest recorded instances of Walz's connection with China.
The following year, Walz founded Educational Travel Adventures to facilitate student travel to China. This initiative, dissolved in 2007 as Walz began his tenure in the House, organized annual trips to China.
In announcing the investigation, Comer emphasized concerns that Tim Walz’s activities might align with a broader Chinese strategy to permeate American political spaces.
Comer pointed to FBI briefings, which suggested that the CCP's influence tactics may mirror the engagement seen with Walz. The FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force has been looped into the matter, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The aspirations Comer described reflect Walz's 1990 views on China's potential under appropriate leadership, captured during an interview. These remarks have fueled speculations about Walz's views on China, further complicating his current campaign narrative.
“The CCP has sought to destroy the United States through coordinated influence and infiltration campaigns that target every aspect of American life, including our own elected officials,” James Comer stated, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against Walz.
The Harris-Walz campaign countered the allegations, emphasizing Tim Walz's consistent criticism of China's record on human rights. They argue that his track record as a critic of Beijing's policies illustrates a complex relationship rather than simple affinity or alignment.
Representative Mark Green weighed in on the controversy with skepticism regarding the multitude and nature of these trips, particularly questioning the personal and political implications of Walz's repeated visits to China, including travel for his honeymoon.
“I’m not sure what taking over 30 trips to China, including for his honeymoon, says about Tim Walz’s posture towards China,” Mark Green commented. “But perhaps if the Harris-Walz campaign were willing to take questions from reporters, we could find out.”
The House Oversight Committee has initiated an investigation into Tim Walz's connections to China, citing national security concerns. The probe focuses on Walz's numerous visits to China and his past involvement in organizing trips to the country. Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about how these ties might influence Walz's foreign policy stance. The Harris-Walz campaign has responded by highlighting Walz's criticism of China's human rights record. The committee has requested the FBI to provide relevant documents by August 30, though the FBI's response remains unknown.
