Gallagher Committee Calls for FBI & Defense Briefing, Stat!

Reacting to news reports of espionage activities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American soil, Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), along with other members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, have called for an urgent classified briefing from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

This request, supported by various representatives including Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), and Andy Barr (R-KY), is grounded on recent reports by the Wall Street Journal that outline numerous attempts by Chinese citizens to access secure U.S. facilities, including military bases, over the recent years.

The letter to Secretary Austin and Director Wray documented instances where potential agents allegedly penetrated a U.S. Army test range, surveyed missile sites, and leveraged drone technology for reconnaissance activities. Additionally, the letter brings attention to attempts to gather intelligence on key strategic locations, including U.S. spy satellite launch sites and the White House's internal structure and security arrangements.

Drawing upon recent incidents, such as the intrusion of a Chinese spy balloon in the U.S. airspace and the hacking of Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s email account, the representatives emphasized the necessity to understand and address these potential security breaches.

The lawmakers have called for a classified briefing to take place by October 6, 2023. Furthermore, they have sought documentation detailing recent assessments of physical security protocols at approximately 1,400 gates of U.S. military bases to evaluate the current state of defenses against potential security breaches.

The letter articulates the committee's concern over the rising instances of individuals purportedly affiliated with the CCP attempting to access sensitive military, economic, and technological data. 

Click HERE to view a copy of the letter.