Democrats Have A China Problem

You would think that the people who are routinely briefed on the problem China, the United States’ primary foreign enemy, poses to Americans and the Republic would guard themselves against any attempt at infiltration or espionage, but think again. An increasing number of Chinese agents have been welcomed into the American government with open arms — largely by the Democrats running our states, Congress, and even the White House.

The most recent example of the blue party’s China problem came this week when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fired deputy chief of staff Linda Sun and her husband Chris Hu were formally charged with conspiring to aid the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The 65-page federal indictment alleged China paid Sun and her husband with travel, tickets to events, salted duck deliveries, and millions of dollars that helped the couple purchase luxuries like an ocean-view condo in Hawaii and a Ferrari in exchange for the favor of the New York state government.

Hochul’s press secretary claimed the governor fired Sun in March 2023 as soon as she discovered “evidence of misconduct.” Before that, however, Sun allegedly spent her 14-year state government career under both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Hochul curbing gubernatorial staff from speaking up about China’s human rights abuses against the Uyghurs, keeping Taiwanese officials from meetings with state officials, and coordinating travel for a “high-level New York state official” to visit the mainland in Asia.

Hochul’s office isn’t the only one that’s been allegedly compromised by China in recent years. Several high-profile Democrats were caught over the last decade handing alleged CCP spies jobs and privileges that grant them access to sensitive information that could be easily weaponized against the U.S.

Sen. Diane Feinstein employed a driver who often “attended official functions on her behalf” for 20 years before he was exposed in 2018 as a Chinese agent. At the time, Feinstein served as chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and “had access to classified intelligence that would be extremely valuable to the Chinese government.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell formed a close relationship with CCP spy Christine Fang, who spent the better part of 2011 to 2015 socializing, networking, campaigning, volunteering, fundraising, and developing romantic connections with Democrat politicians in California and Washington, D.C. Fang’s most notable work was raising millions for Swalwell, who sat on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee, and placing at least one intern in Swalwell’s D.C. office — all while reporting back to one of China’s primary spying agencies.

Even Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the potential next vice president of the U.S., has developed deep connections with China. His estimated 30 visits to the mainland (some paid for by the Chinese government), his role as “a fellow at a Chinese institution that maintains a devotion to the CCP,” and his willingness to speak alongside an organization the Department of State noted existed to “directly and malignly influence state and local leaders to promote the PRC’s global agenda” all suggest he’s formed concerning ties that could prove to be an ongoing conflict of interest.

Republican politicians are certainly not faultless when it comes to fraternizing with China. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, spent decades enriching themselves through the Chao family’s deep ties to the communist nation.

Examples like those, however, are few and far between compared to the increasing number of Democrat aides and allies who were found to be sacrificing American interests at the altar of the CCP’s agenda. In fact, the Democrats’ China problem goes all the way to the top of the chain of command.

President Joe Biden’s family business was built and sustained on overseas dealings with foreign actors, including those linked to communist China. Joe, his brother James Biden, and his son Hunter Biden were funneled millions of dollars from companies directly influenced by the CCP to offer the “spy chief of China” legal representation.

Hunter’s Chinese business partners secured a deal that gave them control of a cobalt mine in Congo shortly after the then-Second Son traveled to communist China on Air Force Two. In 2022 Biden sold oil from emergency reserves to the same Chinese gas giant that Hunter’s private equity firm BHR Partners once owned a $1.7 billion stake in.

Instead of fighting China’s soft power campaign disguised as academia, the Biden administration welcomed it by eliminating a Trump-era proposal that required educational institutions to disclose their relationship with Confucius Institutes. Biden’s decision guaranteed Beijing the ability to reopen dozens of its American spy hubs under different names.

Instead of securing the southern border to protect the U.S. against enemies who easily exploit it, Democrats have paved the way for unvetted Chinese nationals to be the fastest-growing group  taking advantage of the lax boundary.

Instead of curbing communist China’s quest to destabilize the nation by increasing the presence of fentanyl in the U.S., Democrats have ensured the potent, lucrative, and lethal illicit drugs known for poisoning hundreds of thousands of Americans have an easy path into the nation.

Instead of cracking down on the CCP’s race to control global markets, the Biden administration and Democrats want to mandate Americans use electric vehicles which are made from parts largely controlled by China.

The list goes on and on.

The CCP’s grip on the U.S. has stealthily tightened for years. Democrats’ willingness to open the door for Chinese agents and infiltration into key American institutions through personal and professional connections has only expedited the squeeze.

Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on X @jordanboydtx.