Stefanik Blasts Loretta Lynch Over Chinese Lobbying Role

In a scathing attack, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik lashed out at former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, accusing her of ethical misconduct in accepting a position with a Chinese military-linked company after her tenure in the Obama administration.

Stefanik, a Republican representative from New York, condemned Lynch's decision to join the board of directors of a Chinese tech giant, DJI, as a concerning example of the revolving door between government officials and lucrative corporate positions.

Stefanik rips Obama AG Loretta Lynch over lobbying gig for Chinese military company https://t.co/mLdFOaSxVh

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"Accepting a position with a company closely tied to the Chinese military raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and undermines public trust," Stefanik asserted.

Lynch, who served as Attorney General under President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017, has faced scrutiny over her post-government career moves, particularly her association with DJI, which has been flagged by U.S. officials as a national security threat due to its alleged ties to the Chinese military.

Stefanik's criticism adds to mounting bipartisan concerns over the influence of foreign entities on former government officials and the potential ramifications for national security.

The congresswoman's remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and China, with ongoing disputes over trade, technology, and human rights issues.

Stefanik's remarks reflect growing bipartisan calls for stricter regulations and oversight regarding the activities of former government officials in the private sector, particularly when those activities involve companies with connections to foreign governments or entities.

"Almost a dozen critics of FARA told Reuters the law's loopholes have allowed less transparency for other companies with alleged ties to China's military, including surveillance technology firm Hikvision and biotech firm WuXi AppTec," Reuters reported.

"Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says reforms to the law are needed, given the blurry lines between many Chinese companies and the Chinese government, and to keep former members of the U.S. government from effectively lobbying on their behalf," it added.

Lynch has yet to respond publicly to Stefanik's criticism, according to Fox News.

Her association with DJI is likely to continue drawing scrutiny as policymakers and national security experts grapple with the complex challenges posed by China's growing economic and technological influence on the global stage.