Conservative Legal Firm Investigates Tim Walz’s Decades-Long Ties to China

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing growing scrutiny over his long-standing ties to China as he runs for vice president alongside Kamala Harris. On Monday, the America First Legal Foundation (AFL) launched an investigation into Walz’s decades-long relationship with the communist regime, citing potential national security risks if Walz were to receive classified briefings as part of his campaign.

AFL filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Minnesota governor’s office, the FBI, and the Justice Department, demanding documents related to Walz’s trips to China and his connections with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a letter to the FBI, AFL lawyer Michael Ding raised concerns about Walz’s ties to the country, which could compromise U.S. interests. “If there is reason to believe that Gov. Walz is, willingly or unwillingly, an asset of a foreign communist power,” Ding wrote, “then the American people have a right to be informed of all available information before they cast their ballots in November.”

Walz’s frequent visits to China—**at least 30 trips since the 1980s**—and his professional and academic affiliations with Chinese institutions have long raised eyebrows. During his time in Congress, Walz was a fellow at China’s Macao Polytechnic University, an institution that promotes “devotion to and love for the motherland,” which some see as an effort to influence foreign academics.

Key Concerns Highlighted by AFL’s Investigation:

• China Ties: Walz has visited China 30+ times since the 1980s and maintained connections with CCP-backed institutions.

• Confucius Institutes: AFL is requesting documents about Walz’s involvement with Confucius Institutes, controversial programs funded by the Chinese government that aim to promote Chinese culture abroad, often accused of pushing CCP propaganda.

• National Security: AFL claims that the Hormel Institute at the University of Minnesota, which has ties to Walz, could be aiding China’s People’s Liberation Army through collaborations with Chinese institutions like the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Walz’s relationship with China has drawn increasing attention since his selection as Harris’ running mate. In August, Republicans on the House Oversight Committee launched their own investigation into Walz’s connections to the CCP, with Oversight Chair James Comer expressing frustration at the FBI’s failure to provide requested information.

AFL’s lawyer Robert Crossin sent a letter to Walz’s office requesting all documents relating to Chinese government entities, including any communication with China’s Ministry of Education, the Beijing Genomics Institute, and members of the CCP. “The American people have a right to know if Governor Walz was using his office to further the interests of the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party,” Crossin wrote.

AFL is also pressing for an expedited response to its FOIA requests, arguing that voters need this information before the 2024 presidential election. The stakes are high, as Walz could soon be receiving classified national security briefings as a vice presidential candidate, raising concerns about how his ties to China might influence his decision-making.

With growing pressure from both conservative legal groups and Republican lawmakers, Walz will likely face increasing scrutiny as the election nears. As AFL and others push for transparency, the questions surrounding Walz’s involvement with China are unlikely to go away anytime soon.

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