FBI and Senate Committee Investigate Alleged Chinese Influence Scheme in 2020 Presidential Election

FBI and Senate Committee Investigate Alleged Chinese Influence Scheme in 2020 Presidential Election

Allegations have emerged regarding a purported scheme orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party to manufacture fake driver’s licenses and export them to the United States. These actions are allegedly aimed at influencing the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. The Senate Judiciary Committee has launched an investigation into these claims following revelations from the FBI that began circulating on a Monday evening.

FBI’s Probe Reveals Alarming Document

FBI Director Kash Patel played a crucial role in locating and declassifying a document pertinent to this investigation. At the request of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Patel fulfilled this task in late May and subsequently shared the document with the committee.

Chairman Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, is pressing for further details about this document. It reportedly alleges a plot whereby fake driver’s licenses would be provided to individuals sympathetic to China residing in the U.S., enabling them to cast votes for Biden. Notably, the document does not clarify whether any ballots were actually cast as part of this alleged scheme.

Grassley Describes National Security Concerns

A spokesperson for Grassley disclosed to Fox News Digital that the committee has received an FBI response based on protected whistleblower disclosures. The spokesperson underscored the document’s potential national security implications, emphasizing the necessity for a thorough investigation by the FBI.

Details of the Declassified Document

Fox News Digital has examined the declassified document, which includes a cautionary note indicating it is intended as an informational report rather than confirmed intelligence. It states explicitly that the information provided should not serve as the basis for any actions without prior consultation with the FBI.

The document outlines a concerning narrative, asserting that the Chinese government had engaged in the production and export of fraudulent U.S. driver’s licenses. These licenses were allegedly aimed at facilitating large numbers of mail-in votes for Joe Biden during late August 2020.

Critical Questions Remain Unanswered

The authenticity of the claims outlined in the document remains in question. The source of the information is described as having indirect access and has not been corroborated for less than one year. Furthermore, the document mentions that the source gathered information from an identified sub-source, who in turn claimed to have received insights from unidentified officials within the People’s Republic of China.

Chinese Government’s Alleged Tactics

According to the document, the fraudulent driver’s licenses would enable tens of thousands of Chinese students and immigrants, who purportedly sympathized with the Chinese Communist Party, to participate in the U.S. elections despite lacking voting eligibility. It further alleges that the Chinese government had obtained sensitive data from millions of TikTok accounts, which included names and addresses facilitating the creation of these fraudulent licenses.

The document adds that these fraudulent licenses would feature actual identification numbers and addresses of U.S. citizens, potentially complicating detection efforts.

FBI’s Internal Notes and Inquiries

Internal annotations by the FBI indicate that the agency has raised concerns regarding the validity of some information. In one note, the FBI remarked that a person’s address was not necessary when creating a TikTok account, leaving uncertainty about how the Chinese government could obtain such data.

The document also revisits prior communications, documenting a substantive recall of information on September 25, 2020, merely a day after then-FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress regarding the lack of detected coordinated voter fraud before the election.

Ongoing Investigation and Demands for Transparency

The Senate’s investigation looks to the FBI for additional information. Grassley has formally requested comprehensive documentation from the FBI in a bid to verify the production of the report. He has urged the agency to clarify the circumstances surrounding the recall of the document and to keep the American public informed about its findings.

The spokesman for Grassley remarked on the critical nature of this inquiry, emphasizing its implications for national security and public trust in the electoral process.

The Fallout and Implications

The allegations, while serious, have raised numerous questions. Grassley is keen on understanding why the document was recalled, who made the decision, and if there were any ulterior motives behind it. He has asked Patel to furnish all records related to follow-up interviews and to describe investigative steps taken to ascertain the veracity of the claims made in the document.

The FBI’s actions concerning the document’s recall have not gone unnoticed, especially given the potential implications for transparency and accountability in the agency’s operations.

Recent Related Seizures

This investigation comes on the heels of significant seizures conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In the first half of 2020, officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport apprehended nearly 20,000 fraudulent driver’s licenses from China and other countries. This troubling trend has raised alarms over potential foreign interference in American elections.

The provenance of the seized documents and their relation to the FBI’s ongoing investigation remains unclear, deepening concerns about electoral integrity and national security.

A Call for Accountability and Clarity

As the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to pursue answers, the call for greater transparency resonates strongly among lawmakers and the public alike. Grassley is focused on ensuring a comprehensive investigation that addresses the troubling allegations and questions raised by the declassified FBI document.

The gravity of the situation warrants careful scrutiny, and as additional information emerges, it is imperative to uphold integrity within American electoral processes.