Trump administration's secret probe of foreign scientists raises national security and espionage concerns
By zoeysky // 2025-06-29
Copy
 
  • Recent incidents have heightened concerns about foreign researchers, particularly Chinese nationals, attempting to smuggle dangerous pathogens into the U.S. For example, Chinese researchers were arrested in Michigan for trying to bring in fungi and roundworms that could devastate American crops, raising alarms about potential agroterrorism and economic damage.
  • The Trump administration has criticized past leadership at the NIH, including Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci, for lax oversight that allowed foreign researchers to enter the U.S. with minimal scrutiny. GAO has repeatedly warned about vulnerabilities in oversight and the risk of intellectual property theft.
  • Dr. Li-Meng Yan, a Chinese virologist who defected to the U.S. in 2020, claimed that many Chinese scientists in the U.S. are essentially agents of the Chinese government, signing contracts to return to China with any information or technology acquired. She described these scientists as "parasites" infiltrating American institutions to steal intellectual property and compromise national security.
  • Members of Congress have called for stricter vetting processes and a reduction in the number of foreign scientists granted visas.
  • The urgency of the situation is underscored by several high-profile incidents. For example, the FBI raided the home of Xiaofeng Wang, a Chinese national and cybersecurity professor at Indiana University Bloomington, though he was not charged with a crime. Additionally, two Chinese researchers were charged with smuggling a biological pathogen into the U.S., raising concerns about the risks of handling such pathogens.
In a move that has intensified scrutiny on foreign researchers, the Trump administration has quietly initiated a comprehensive review of hundreds of scientists from "countries of concern" – with a particular focus on individuals from China. This secretive vetting process, involving multiple intelligence and security agencies, was reportedly set in motion weeks ago. It was spurred by concerns that previous administrations had failed to adequately scrutinize the backgrounds and affiliations of these scientists, particularly their ties to entities like the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. The urgency of this investigation has been underscored by recent incidents involving Chinese scientists attempting to smuggle dangerous pathogens into the United States. In the past month alone, two Chinese researchers were arrested in Michigan for allegedly trying to bring in fungi and roundworms capable of devastating American crops. These incidents have raised alarms about the potential for a new wave of agroterrorism. Officials warn that such pathogens could cause significant economic damage and pose serious risks to food security. (Related: Second University of Michigan scholar from China arrested for smuggling biological material.) "The Trump administration is committed to safeguarding America’s national and economic security," said White House Deputy Press Seretary Kush Desai. "Taxpayer dollars should not and cannot fund foreign espionage against America's industrial base and research apparatus."

Whistleblower alleges systemic issues

Officials have criticized the previous leadership at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under Drs. Francis Collins and Anthony Fauci, for maintaining a lax system that allowed foreign researchers to enter the country with minimal scrutiny. This oversight persisted despite multiple warnings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) about the risks of undue foreign influence and the potential theft of federal research. The GAO has issued numerous reports over the past decade, highlighting vulnerabilities in the oversight of foreign researchers and the lack of robust safeguards to protect intellectual property. A 2021 report specifically pointed out the weaknesses in the partnerships between research universities and the NIH. It warned that the absence of clear policies on non-financial interests left universities ill-equipped to manage conflicts of interest and potential foreign influence. Chinese virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan, who defected to the U.S. in 2020, has alleged that many Chinese scientists who come to the country are essentially acting as agents of Beijing. The scientists getting visas from China to the U.S. "have signed contracts with the Chinese government to go back and serve China with whatever they can get from the U.S.," Yan claimed in an interview. She compared these scientists to "parasites" infiltrating American institutions to steal intellectual property and compromise national security. Members of Congress have responded to these concerns by pushing for stricter vetting processes and a reduction in the number of foreign scientists granted visas. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) emphasized the need for stronger internal systems to counter Chinese infiltration. He said that because the Chinese have been "infiltrating" U.S. intellectual property, it is necessary to "strengthen our own systems from within."

Recent incidents highlight risks

The urgency of the situation has been further highlighted by several high-profile cases. In April, the FBI raided the home of Xiaofeng Wang, a Chinese national and cybersecurity professor at Indiana University Bloomington, though he was never charged with a crime. Wang was subsequently fired by the university, and his current whereabouts are unknown. In another incident, two Chinese researchers, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, were charged with smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a biological pathogen, into the U.S. to study at a University of Michigan lab. The fungus, described as a potential agroterrorism weapon, can cause diseases in crops like wheat, corn, rice and barley – leading to significant economic losses. While the defendants are not accused of plans to spread the fungus beyond the laboratory, the case has raised concerns about the risks associated with the handling of such pathogens. The Trump administration's actions come amid a broader debate over the balance between national security and the benefits of international scientific collaboration. While some argue that stricter vetting is necessary to protect American interests, others warn that overly restrictive policies could hinder scientific progress and damage the U.S.'s reputation as a hub for global research. The Department of Health and Human Services and the NIH have declined to provide specific numbers of scientists by country, citing security concerns. However, the administration has taken steps to cut off funding to foreign partners through sub-grants and secondary awards, signaling a shift towards more stringent controls on the flow of research funding and resources. As the Trump administration continues its probe into foreign scientists, the challenge lies in striking a balance between ensuring national security and maintaining the openness that is crucial for scientific advancement. Go to CommunistChina.news for more stories about China's attempts to plant spies in the United States. Watch this clip about a former NSA official's warning about China exploiting solar panels on American farms. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Harvard professor arrested for conspiring with Chinese spies to smuggle "biological material" into communist China. Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S. Chinese researcher arrested for SMUGGLING biological materials into the country. Sources include: JustTheNews.com ABCNews.go.com Edition.CNN.com Brighteon.com
Copy