House Republicans have intensified their investigation into Gov. Tim Walz’s (D-MN) alleged ties to China, as the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The committee is demanding intelligence reports and communications related to Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, following whistleblower claims involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the committee, stated that the investigation has revealed concerns about Walz’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Comer’s subpoena specifically seeks unredacted materials related to a group chat within DHS titled “NST NFT Bi-Weekly Sync,” which allegedly contains information about Walz pertinent to the ongoing probe.
Comer emphasized that the investigation is not politically motivated, pointing out that the committee began looking into CCP influence long before Walz was selected as Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election. Comer expressed concern about whether Walz might have been influenced, knowingly or unknowingly, by CCP efforts aimed at undermining US national security.
The investigation into Walz’s ties to China has gained momentum following revelations that the Minnesota governor visited China over 30 times, including a trip for his honeymoon. In addition, reports have surfaced about a 1993 trip to China that Walz organized for high school students, which had partial sponsorship from CCP-affiliated organizations.
Of particular interest to Republicans is Walz’s promotion of the Hormel Institute, which has partnerships with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Comer has requested that the FBI examine Walz’s involvement in the Hormel Institute’s activities and its relationship with Chinese research institutions.
As tensions between the US and China continue to rise, Comer’s investigation is focused on whether Walz’s extensive time in China has influenced his stance on foreign policy. The committee has requested Mayorkas to appear with the requested materials on October 7 to provide further details on Walz’s alleged connections to China.
