Gallagher, Hinson, Select Committee Members Require DoD & FBI Briefing on CCP Spies Infiltrating U.S. Military Bases

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) Gallagher and Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), alongside members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, today requested a briefing from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and FBI Director Christopher Wray, amidst a drastic increase in Chinese Communist Party spies accessing sensitive military, economic, and technological secrets on U.S. soil. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese citizens gained or to tried to access U.S. military bases and sensitive sites at least 100 times over the past few years.

The letter was also signed by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL).

The lawmakers discussed expansive CCP espionage efforts, citing recent high-profile crimes like the Chinese spy balloon traversing the continental United States and the CCP's penetration of Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's email account before her trip to China.

In the letter, Chairman Gallagher and the Select Committee members wrote, "In one case, potential agents infiltrated a U.S. Army test range, accessed numerous missile sites, and used drone technology to surveil the grounds. In another case, individuals were found scuba diving in a location home to a launch site for U.S. spy satellites and other sensitive military equipment. Indeed, these incidents are not limited to military sites. There are also ongoing efforts to collect intelligence on the White House—including its layout, security, and communications equipment."

The lawmakers requested a classified briefing no later than October 6, 2023 from both Secretary Austin and Director Wray to understand how the Pentagon and FBI protect against CCP espionage on sensitive military sites.

Additionally, the lawmakers requested all Pentagon documents related to recent reviews of the roughly 1,400 gates at U.S. military bases and other physical security measures by October 6th.

Click HERE to view a copy of the letter.