FBI Faces New Demands Over Governor Walz and China Connection

FBI Director Christopher Wray faces mounting pressure from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer to disclose documents on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s alleged ties to China.

At a Glance

Rep. James Comer demands FBI release information on Gov. Tim Walz’s relationships with Chinese Communist Party entities
Walz has visited China approximately 30 times and met with CCP officials
Comer cites concerns over Walz’s involvement with Chinese-affiliated institutions and potential influence on decision-making
FBI’s silence on the matter criticized as “inexcusable” by Comer

Comer’s Push for Transparency

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer is intensifying efforts to compel the FBI to release documents concerning Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s alleged connections to China. The Republican congressman’s demand for transparency comes amid growing concerns about potential foreign influence in U.S. politics, particularly involving Chinese Communist Party (CCP) affiliated entities.

Comer initially requested this information on August 16, 2024, setting a deadline that has since passed without a response from the Bureau. The congressman’s persistence underscores the seriousness with which he views the potential national security implications of Walz’s extensive engagement with China.

Walz’s Chinese Connections Under Scrutiny

Governor Walz’s history with China spans decades, raising eyebrows among those concerned about foreign influence. According to Comer’s investigation, Walz has visited China approximately 30 times and has a documented history of engagement with CCP-affiliated entities. This includes organizing a trip to China in 1993, partially funded by the Chinese government, and serving as a fellow at Macau Polytechnic University in 2007.

“On August 16, 2024, the Committee requested information about the CCP-affiliated entities and officials with which Mr. Timothy Walz has engaged, as well as any warnings or information the Federal Bureau of Investigation has provided to Mr. Walz or his office about CCP influence operations. The deadline to produce such documents and information has passed, and the Bureau has failed to provide any response to the Committee. The FBI’s silence regarding Mr. Walz’s documented relations with CCP affiliates is inexcusable. The Committee must understand the full extent of Mr. Walz’s ties to the CCP. In 1993, Mr. Walz organized a trip to the PRC for his Alliance High School students; the costs for the trip were paid in part by the Chinese government. In 2007, Mr. Walz served not only as a member of Congress but also as a fellow at Macau Polytechnic University. According to the university’s website, Macau Polytechnic University exists ‘in alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative,’ a political warfare program developed by President Xi Jinping to exert China’s influence worldwide,” wrote Chairman James Comer. – Source

The Hormel Institute Connection

Of particular concern to Chairman Comer is Walz’s involvement with the Hormel Institute, a Minnesota-based medical research center. While serving in Congress, Walz reportedly helped secure over $2 million and pushed for a $5 million federal earmark for the institute. The Hormel Institute’s collaborations with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Beijing Genomics Institute, labeled a “Chinese military company” by the Pentagon, have raised red flags.

“Recent reports indicate Mr. Walz, while in Congress, ‘helped secure over $2 million’ and ‘pushed for a $5 million federal earmark’ for the Hormel Institute, which is a ‘Minnesota-based medical research center with a history of working with the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China,'” Comer wrote in the letter to Wray. “The Wuhan Institute of Virology is closely connected to the CCP and has been implicated in the origins of the pandemic.” – Source

National Security Concerns

The Committee’s investigation into Walz’s China ties is part of a broader effort to examine federal agencies’ responses to CCP influence and infiltration tactics. Comer has expressed concern that Walz’s involvement with Chinese entities may have influenced his decision-making as both a congressman and governor, potentially impacting national security.

As the probe continues, the FBI’s silence on the matter has only fueled Comer’s determination to uncover the full extent of Walz’s relationships with CCP-affiliated entities. With a new deadline of September 19th set for the FBI to produce the requested documents, the coming weeks may prove crucial in shedding light on this contentious issue.