Top DCCC fundraiser advocated for Chinese military-linked firm on Pentagon blacklist

The ⁢DCCC’s ‌Top Fundraiser Linked to‌ Chinese Military-Linked Company

The campaign arm for House ⁣Democrats has enlisted the help of a top fundraiser with a controversial background. Steve‍ Elmendorf, a lobbyist at the influential firm Avoq,‌ was listed as a bundler⁣ for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), responsible ⁣for collecting and transferring donations totaling $125,800. However, Elmendorf’s ties to DJI Technology, the world’s largest drone maker blacklisted by ‍the Pentagon for its connections to China’s military, ‍could pose a problem for the DCCC in⁣ the upcoming 2024 election cycle.

A Liability for the DCCC

DJI Technology​ has faced scrutiny for its⁢ involvement in human rights abuses, particularly in relation to China’s persecution of Uyghur Muslims and other‌ ethnic groups. The Commerce Department placed DJI on an economic blacklist in 2020, and the Treasury Department added it to an investment blacklist in 2021. ‍Elmendorf’s ⁣association with DJI raises concerns about the DCCC’s alignment with Chinese​ Communist Party-controlled companies linked to the military.

Michael Sobolik, a China expert at the American Foreign Policy Council, warns that this⁤ connection creates perverse incentives for members of Congress to turn ⁣a blind eye to problematic companies. It puts policymakers in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between‌ doing what ⁢is right and risking the⁢ loss ‍of campaign donations.

Avoq’s Deregistration and DJI’s Denial

Avoq, the lobbying firm Elmendorf works for, is in the​ process of ‌deregistering on ⁤behalf of DJI. This move comes after⁢ reports ‌of lawmakers considering ⁣proposals to ⁢block lobbying firms from securing meetings with their offices. DJI denies any relationship with the ⁤Chinese‌ Communist Party (CCP) and asserts that‍ it is a‍ privately held and controlled ⁢company.

Elmendorf’s Lobbying Activities

Elmendorf, a former chief of‍ staff for ex-House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, has been ‌listed on federal lobbying disclosures for DJI, totaling $240,000. His firm registered on behalf of the ‍drone manufacturer​ in ⁣September ​2023. ⁣The termination ⁣filing​ indicates that Avoq lobbied in connection to the Countering CCP Drones ⁣Act and issues ‌related to the Federal Aviation Administration ⁤Act of 2023.

Other CCP-Tied Companies and Avoq’s Status

The ​DCCC’s bundler filing also included lobbyists for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, which recently ended its association with Hesai ​Group, another company tied to the⁣ CCP. Avoq is still registered to lobby for ‌Complete Genomics, a subsidiary of⁤ China-based MGI Tech, which is also ‍blacklisted by the‍ Pentagon. ​It remains unclear whether Avoq plans to drop Complete Genomics.

Will Reinert, press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee,​ criticizes the DCCC for relying on⁢ a lobbyist with ties⁢ to ​the Chinese military. Reinert calls for the DCCC to return the funds collected through Elmendorf’s​ influence peddling.

What are the potential implications of‌ the⁣ DCCC’s connection to DJI Technology, a⁢ company allegedly involved in human rights abuses?

Ompanies and their potential influence over American politics.

Elmendorf’s role as a bundler ⁣for the DCCC means that he is responsible for collecting and transferring ⁣large sums of money ‌to support Democratic candidates. With a total of $125,800 raised, Elmendorf’s fundraising capabilities ⁣are undeniable. However, his ties to DJI Technology raise questions about the⁢ source and potential implications ‍of these funds.

The connection between ​Elmendorf and DJI Technology is particularly troubling considering the company’s alleged involvement in human rights abuses. Reports have suggested that DJI has provided surveillance technology to the Chinese government, which has been used to monitor and suppress Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang province. The Chinese government’s treatment of these ⁤minority groups‌ has been widely criticized, with⁢ reports of mass detentions, forced assimilation, and​ cultural suppression.

By associating with a company implicated in such grave ‍human rights violations, Elmendorf’s involvement with⁣ DJI raises concerns about the DCCC’s values and priorities. ⁢Democratic candidates and the DCCC should be committed to upholding⁢ human rights and promoting democratic values, rather than aligning with companies that⁢ are potentially complicit in human ⁢rights abuses.

Furthermore, Elmendorf’s ties to DJI Technology could also have​ implications for national security. In 2020, the Pentagon added DJI ⁣to its blacklist due to concerns about the company’s connections to China’s military and the potential risks posed by its drones. There ⁢have been concerns that DJI drones could be used for espionage or other nefarious purposes, posing a threat to American⁤ national security.

Considering the upcoming 2024 election cycle, the DCCC must carefully consider the potential ramifications of Elmendorf’s⁣ association with DJI Technology.⁤ The influence of Chinese companies on American politics has been a ​subject of increasing concern, ⁤particularly in light of China’s growing geopolitical power and its desire to exert ⁣influence abroad.

It is⁢ essential for the DCCC‌ to uphold transparency ‌and ensure that its fundraisers uphold ethical standards. By aligning with individuals and companies with questionable ‌ties and potential conflicts⁢ of interest, the DCCC risks undermining its credibility and the⁤ trust placed in it by the American people.

Conclusion

The DCCC’s enlistment of ‌Steve Elmendorf as a top fundraiser raises significant concerns due to his ties to DJI Technology, a Chinese ⁣military-linked company. The alleged involvement of DJI in human rights abuses⁣ and its blacklisting by​ the Pentagon highlight the potential ethical and national security implications of Elmendorf’s association with the company.

The DCCC must carefully consider the message‍ it sends by aligning with individuals connected to controversial companies. Upholding ​human rights, promoting democratic values, and safeguarding national security should be priorities for the DCCC and its fundraisers. ‌Anything less risks undermining ⁣the credibility and integrity of the DCCC and its ‌mission to support⁢ Democratic ‍candidates for the upcoming 2024 election ‌cycle.

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