Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee (R-KY), is expanding his investigation on Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), citing a Washington Examiner article on Walz’s promotion of a China-linked institute, is adamant about his ties with China.

Comer wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday, expressing concern over Walz’s promotion of a group named the Hormel Institute as Minnesota’s Governor, which, according to the Washington Examiner, partners with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The top Republican is renewing his August request for the agency’s assistance in obtaining any documents related to Chinese entities Walz may have been associated with over the years.

Comer wrote to Wray that “recent reports” indicated Mr. Walz ‘helped secure more than $2 million’ during his time in Congress and he ‘pushed for a federal earmark of $5 million for the Hormel Institute. This is a Minnesota based medical research centre with a long history of working in China with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.’ Comer wrote in a letter to Wray that “The Wuhan Institute of Virology has ties with the CCP, and is implicated in the origins of COVID-19.”

Comer’s note also cited Fox News’ report detailing the Hormel Institute’s collaboration with the Beijing Genomics Institute. The Pentagon had labeled the Beijing Genomics Institute a “Chinese military firm” earlier this year. In a statement issued to the Washington Examiner, the University of Minnesota’s Hormel Institute parent denied that the Institute has any “formal affiliation” or partnership with the WIV, Beijing Genomics Institute, and the WIV.

Journal records reveal that Hormel Institute researchers work with WIV personnel and Beijing Genomics Institute personnel on various projects.

According to a letter from Walz, his “documented relationships with CCP affiliates are inexcusable”, according to the chairman of the House Oversight Committee.

Republicans have been slamming Walz’s apparent China sympathies and ties since he was announced as Kamala Harris’ running mate.

Walz stated in 2016 that “China does not necessarily need to have an adversarial relationship with the United States.”

Walz, according to several reports, has visited China 30 times – including on his honeymoon. Comer mentioned in his letter that Walz had organized a trip to China partially sponsored by the CCP for his students when he was teaching at a Minnesota high school.

Walz’s previous teaching fellowship at China’s Macau Polytechnic University, which lasted until 2007 or at least that date, is also being investigated by the lawmaker. Macau Polytechnic University promotes the Belt and Road Initiative. This is an infrastructure program and a key element in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s efforts to influence foreign countries, according to the New York Post.

Comer informed Wray that the FBI did not find these facts convincing enough to cooperate with a congressional inquiry. Comer was referring to recent revelations about Walz’s connections to Hormel Institute.

Comer wrote that Dr. Zigang Dog, the former executive director at the Hormel Institute ‘abruptly’ resigned from his position in 2019. ‘Around the same period, it was revealed he was involved in an FBI investigation… looking into his ‘possible lack of reporting foreign backing’ when applying for grant funding’. “Mr. According to Federal Election Commission filings, Mr.

In his letter to the House Oversight Committee, Comer stated that the FBI had informed them that their Foreign Influence Task Force investigated this type of CCP activity.

Wray established the Foreign Influence Task force in 2017 “to identify and counter malign foreign influences operations that target the United States.”

Comer wrote that he was “concerned that Mr. Walz’s involvement with Chinese officials and entities may have allowed CCP influence on his decision-making in his capacity as a Congressman and Governor and that it could allow CCP influence at the White House if Mr. Walz were elected Vice President.”

According to a copy of his letter, he is asking for all communications between Walz’s Office and the FBI “regarding warnings or guidelines about subnational officials engaging in business with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), CCP and CCP’s proxy.”

The Republican also wants any documents or information that the FBI may have on the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), the Hormel Institute and Zigang. Comer set a deadline for responses of September 19.

The FBI declined comment.