According to a Washington Examiner report, Comer has requested FBI documents relating to Walz's alleged ties to Chinese entities.

The expanded probe comes in the wake of Walz's promotion of the Hormel Institute, a research center with links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Comer's letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, sent on Thursday, outlines concerns about Walz's involvement with organizations that have connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Comer Cites Walz's Support For Hormel Institute

In his letter, Comer highlighted Walz's efforts to secure funding for the Hormel Institute during his time in Congress. The Republican lawmaker pointed out that Walz had helped obtain over $2 million and advocated for a $5 million federal earmark for the institute.

The Hormel Institute's collaborations with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the Beijing Genomics Institute have raised red flags for Comer. He noted that the Pentagon recently labeled the Beijing Genomics Institute as a "Chinese military company."

Comer expressed concern about the potential influence these connections might have had on Walz's decision-making as a congressman and governor. He suggested that such ties could potentially impact the White House if Walz were to be elected vice president.

Governor's Extensive China Connections Under Scrutiny

The investigation also delves into Walz's personal and professional ties to China. According to reports cited by Comer, Walz has made 30 trips to China, including his honeymoon. The governor's history with the country extends to his time as a high school teacher when he organized a partially CCP-sponsored trip for his students.

Comer's letter also mentioned Walz's teaching fellowship at China's Macau Polytechnic University, which lasted until at least 2007. The university is known for promoting China's Belt and Road Initiative, a key component of President Xi Jinping's foreign influence strategy.

The Republican lawmaker expressed particular concern over Walz's association with Dr. Zigang Dong, the former executive director of the Hormel Institute. Comer wrote:

The former executive director of the Hormel Institute, Dr. Zigang Dong, 'abruptly stepped down from his post' in 2019; '[a]round the same time, it was revealed [he] was involved in an FBI probe … investigating his 'possible failure to report foreign backing when applying for grants.'

Comer added that Dong has been a long-time donor to Walz's political campaigns, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

FBI's Role And Committee's Requests

In his letter, Comer noted that the FBI had previously informed the House Oversight Committee about its Foreign Influence Task Force, which investigates CCP activities. However, Comer suggested that the FBI seemed to find the concerns about Walz's China ties "unpersuasive" in terms of cooperating with the congressional investigation.

The committee chairman is now requesting a range of documents from the FBI, including any communications between the agency and Walz's office regarding warnings or guidance about subnational government officials engaging with China, the CCP, or its proxies.

Comer has also asked for any FBI-held information on the Beijing Genomics Institute, the Hormel Institute, and Dr. Zigang Dong. The congressman set a deadline of September 19 for the FBI to respond to these requests.

Political Implications Of The Investigation

The expanded investigation comes at a crucial time, as Walz has been announced as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate for the upcoming election.

Republicans have been vocal in their criticism of Walz's apparent sympathies towards China, citing a 2016 statement in which he said he doesn't view China as necessarily being in an adversarial relationship with the United States.

Comer's probe raises questions about the potential impact of foreign ties on domestic politics and national security. The investigation's findings could have significant implications for the Democratic ticket and the broader discourse on U.S.-China relations.

Conclusion

Rep. James Comer's expanded investigation into Governor Tim Walz's China connections focuses on the Hormel Institute's links to Chinese entities. The probe examines Walz's efforts to secure funding for the institute, his numerous trips to China, and his association with individuals under FBI scrutiny. Comer has requested FBI documents related to these connections, setting a September 19 deadline for a response. The investigation's outcomes could potentially influence the upcoming election and broader U.S.-China policy discussions.