Why Elissa Slotkin’s Senate bid in Michigan could be sunk by ties to China

Having served as the acting director of national intelligence under the Trump administration, my understanding of the growing threat posed by China is extensive. This is why I am deeply concerned about the outcome of the closely contested Senate race in Michigan.

It is evident that China poses a significant threat to our economy, national security, and way of life.

China is constantly exploiting our vulnerabilities by stealing our intellectual property to benefit its businesses, infiltrating our government and private systems through persistent hacking, and gathering information on our children through platforms like TikTok.

Furthermore, the Chinese Communist Party utilizes students and faculty at American universities for espionage and theft.

Recently, in my home state, five Chinese nationals enrolled at the University of Michigan were apprehended for spying at Camp Grayling in northern Michigan, where the US military conducts training for Taiwanese soldiers in the event of a Chinese invasion.

This incident sends a clear message: China cannot be trusted.

Given the previous administration’s weakness on the international stage, it is imperative that our leaders comprehend the threat posed by China. However, there is a risk that an elected official who has demonstrated weakness towards China could become Michigan’s next senator.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a former political appointee in the Obama administration, signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022 to assist a Chinese battery company in securing hundreds of millions of dollars from Michigan taxpayers.

This battery company, Gotion, has direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party and intends to establish operations close to one of the largest National Guard training facilities in the US.

This poses a significant national security risk, as acknowledged by former Obama Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta during a congressional hearing earlier this year. Panetta testified that there is no doubt the Chinese Communist Party would exploit the plant for intelligence purposes.

Although Slotkin claims to be tough on China and a national security expert, her secretive dealings and refusal to disclose herself from the agreement raise questions.

Michigan voters deserve better than Slotkin’s clandestine actions, deceitfulness, and questionable judgment.

Why would Slotkin, or any member of Congress, enter into a nondisclosure agreement with a company linked to a foreign adversary’s government?

If Slotkin wants to distance herself from the Gotion plant and the secret agreement, why hasn’t she released herself from the NDA after all these years?

It is evident that Slotkin has something to conceal. My advice to her is simple: release herself from the secret deal and be transparent so voters have clarity on her involvement.

Michigan voters deserve the truth.

They deserve a principled senator with strong judgment and the courage to confront America’s adversaries.

They deserve a senator like former FBI special agent Mike Rogers, who has tirelessly fought against the China threat and safeguarded our nation as the House Intelligence Committee chairman.

I am urging Slotkin to release herself from the agreement before Nov. 5. Michigan voters deserve to know the truth about her undisclosed activities.