House Oversight Chairman James Comer has initiated an investigation into Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's longstanding ties to China, raising concerns over potential influence by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Comer, along with other Republicans, is scrutinizing Walz's numerous visits to China and his involvement with CCP-connected entities, charging that these ties could pose risks to U.S. interests, particularly if he becomes vice president, as the Daily Mail reports.

The congressman, a Republican from Kentucky, has emphasized that while Walz does not appear to have gained financial benefits from his connections to China, the extent of his relationship with the country requires closer examination.

Comer disclosed on Fox Business that Walz, who is 60 years old, has visited China approximately 30 times and has a history of involvement with the country, including teaching there and spending his honeymoon in China.

Concerns Over CCP Influence on Walz

Comer’s concerns are centered around what he describes as the Democratic Party's VP nominee's "infatuation" with China and its communist system. He expressed worry that Walz's fascination with China's governance and culture could make him susceptible to influence from the CCP. "We fear...that it's an infatuation that Tim Walz has with China, with their communist system, with the way they've operated over the past 30 years," Comer stated.

Adding to these concerns, Comer has requested that the FBI provide any documents or communications they have regarding Walz's interactions with Chinese entities and officials. This request was formally made in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, where Comer highlighted the potential vulnerability of Walz to the CCP's strategy of "elite capture," which aims to co-opt influential figures in the U.S.

Walz's Extensive History with China Under Scrutiny

Walz's history with China is extensive. He founded 'Educational Travel Adventures, Inc.' in 1994 to bring students to China, a venture he continued until 2007. Walz spent a year living in China, a period he describes as 'amazing,' and has been there about 30 times throughout his life.

His connection to China is further underscored by the fact that he and his wife chose to spend their honeymoon in China shortly after the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Despite his deep ties to China, Walz has maintained that he has not accepted any money from Chinese sources, a claim supported by his financial disclosures, which reveal that he primarily relies on a government pension.

Comer acknowledged this, noting, "No, it doesn't appear that he's accepted money from China if he's being honest about his financial disclosure form. He really doesn't have a whole lot of money to his name other than government pension."

Republicans Intensify Their Investigation

Comer is not alone in his efforts to probe Walz's ties to China. Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has also expressed concerns about Walz's connections, pointing to the governor's decision to get married on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre as a particularly troubling detail.

"The House is going to investigate it now — it’s very strange. He got married on the anniversary of Tiananmen Square. He’s gone to China. He’s taught in China. He’s got deep connections to China," Johnson remarked.

Comer has expressed a desire to understand the full scope of Walz's relationship with China, stating, "The American people deserve to fully understand how deep Governor Walz’s relationship with China goes." This sentiment reflects a broader concern among Republicans about the potential influence of foreign powers on American officials.

Walz Defends His Approach to China

Walz has defended his engagement with China, arguing that the U.S.-China relationship should not be adversarial. He recently remarked that no one can claim to be an expert on China due to its complexity, and he emphasized the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with the country. "But it's critically important for us. I don't fall into the category that China necessarily needs to be an adversarial relationship, I totally disagree," Walz stated.

However, not all Republicans are convinced by Walz's stance. Sen. J.D. Vance, the GOP vice-presidential nominee, has been particularly critical of Walz's policies, accusing him of wanting to shift American manufacturing jobs to China.

Vance criticized Walz for supporting green energy policies that, in his view, would benefit China at the expense of American workers. "Tim Walz is a guy who wants to shift more and more American manufacturing jobs to China," Vance asserted.

Conclusion

The investigation into Gov. Tim Walz's ties to China continues to gain momentum, with Republicans like James Comer and Ron Johnson leading the charge.

Their concerns focus on the potential influence of the Chinese Communist Party on Walz, given his extensive history with the country. While Walz has defended his actions and emphasized the importance of the U.S.-China relationship, the scrutiny from Republicans is unlikely to subside.

As the investigation progresses, more details about Walz's connections to China and their implications for U.S. interests may emerge, keeping this issue at the forefront of political discourse.