House GOP probes China trips of Harris’ running mate Walz

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on Friday opened an investigation into Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. Comer alleged that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited China roughly 30 times and as a teacher coordinated a trip for students to the country, paid for by the Chinese government. While a member of Congress, Walz served as a fellow at the Macau Polytechnic University, a Chinese higher education institution, according to a committee statement.

Walz’s China background has recently been covered by new media outlets including Politico. Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann told the Washington Post that Harris and Walz could ensure victory in what he called the competition with China. He also accused Republicans of twisting the facts and lying.

What has this investigation entailed so far? In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Friday, Comer requested any documents the FBI had on Chinese Communist Party entities and officials affiliated with Walz. Comer also requested information about any warnings the FBI may have given Walz about the CCP trying to gain influence over U.S. political figures. In the letter, Comer noted that FBI officials previously told his committee that the bureau typically investigates the exact sort of activity Walz engaged in with Chinese entities.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report in The Stew about Tim Walz’s military record.