Arkansas Leads Charge Against Foreign Influence in U.S. Politics

Arkansas just became the first state in America to directly confront the growing threat of foreign influence in our political system, thanks to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. With a stroke of the pen, Sanders signed a groundbreaking bill requiring agents acting on behalf of hostile foreign regimes like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to register publicly, disclose their funding, and come clean about their political activities.

This new law is more than symbolic it’s the first of its kind in the country, and it should be a model for the rest of the nation. As Governor Sanders rightly pointed out, foreign adversaries aren’t just fighting America with weapons anymore they're using propaganda, money, and manipulation to sow chaos at every level of government.

“We’re going to expose every one of them,” Sanders declared. “If you’re pushing China’s interests in Arkansas, we’re going to know who you are and who’s paying your bills.”

And she’s right to sound the alarm. Groups like Students for Justice in Palestine, Code Pink, and other pro-Hamas front organizations are flooding college campuses and social media with hostile propaganda often funded through shadowy channels that raise serious questions about foreign influence. Some aren’t even registered as nonprofits, yet they receive taxpayer-funded student activity fees while openly advocating for America’s enemies.

The CCP has perfected the infiltration game, embedding itself in everything from college campuses through Confucius Institutes, to state pension funds, critical infrastructure, and even land purchases near U.S. military bases.

• The FBI has labeled the Chinese Communist Party a “grave threat” to American democracy and economic security.

• Over 25 Confucius Institutes have been forced to close in recent years after being exposed as tools of CCP propaganda.

• Chinese entities now own over 380,000 acres of American farmland, much of it strategically located near defense installations.

Governor Sanders’ new law will force these agents out of the shadows. Failure to register will bring severe financial penalties, and those operating on behalf of hostile regimes will face even harsher consequences. The legislation also tightens campaign finance laws, making it harder for bad actors to use dark money to influence elections and state policy.

“This is about protecting Arkansas and America from foreign sabotage,” Sanders said.

This bill is part of a broader initiative led by the Governor known as the “Communist China Defense” package, which also includes proposals to:

• Ban land purchases by Chinese entities near critical infrastructure

• Divest state resources from China-controlled assets

• Harden state supply chains and surveillance systems against Chinese tech infiltration

In an age where global adversaries are more subtle, more strategic, and more embedded than ever, state leaders must step up. Washington can’t and often won’t do it alone.

Arkansas is now leading the charge.

Let this be a message to the other 49 states If you’re serious about defending American sovereignty, this is how you do it.

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