Ex-Obama official sought to delist Chinese drone firm from US military list
Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s Secret Push to Remove Chinese Drone Company from U.S. Military List
In a covert move, former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch attempted to persuade the Department of Defense to eliminate a controversial Chinese drone company from the U.S. list of Chinese companies associated with the country’s military.
According to a report by Reuters, SZ DJI Technology Co. sought the assistance of Lynch, along with former Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gertzman and Roberto Gonzalez, who served as Associate White House Counsel during the Obama administration. All three individuals, now colleagues at the Paul, Weiss law firm, jointly signed a letter to a Pentagon official last year, marking it as “confidential treatment requested.”
The Pentagon stated in 2021 that DJI poses a potential threat to U.S. national security.
The obtained copy of the letter, as highlighted in the report, exemplifies why U.S. officials are striving to close loopholes in the law that enable lawyers and lobbyists to evade disclosure of their work for foreign companies subject to U.S. sanctions.
Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), individuals engaged in “commercial activities and legal representation” are not obligated to disclose their work to the U.S. government.
Jim Risch, the leading Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, strongly criticized Lynch for advocating on behalf of entities linked to China’s military.
“It is absolutely appalling that former high-ranking U.S. officials exploit their connections to serve the interests of U.S. adversaries,” Risch expressed.
Lynch urged for an immediate removal of the designation, citing the widespread use of the drones in the U.S. She also requested a meeting with the department to address the matter.
What are the concerns surrounding DJI’s alleged ties to the Chinese military and the potential risks associated with their drones?
Holes-money-2021-10-28/”>Reuters investigation, Lynch’s efforts on behalf of the Chinese company, DJI, highlights the complex and concerning relationship between former U.S. officials and their interactions with foreign clients. This revelation underscores the need for stricter regulations and transparency in the post-government employment of high-ranking officials.
DJI, a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial drones, has long faced scrutiny over its alleged ties to the Chinese military and concerns about the potential risks posed by their drones. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce added DJI to its “Entity List,” which restricts American companies from exporting technology to the listed entities without a license. This action was taken due to concerns that DJI’s drones could be used for espionage or other malicious activities.
However, Lynch’s alleged attempts to remove DJI from the list drew significant criticism from those who argue that such a move would compromise national security. As a former U.S. Attorney General, Lynch held a position of immense influence and should have been mindful of the potential risks associated with DJI’s products. By advocating for the removal of DJI from the list, Lynch appeared to prioritize the interests of a Chinese company over the security concerns of her own country.
The case of Lynch’s involvement with DJI also raises questions about the integrity and ethical standards of former high-ranking officials. While there is nothing inherently wrong with former officials engaging with foreign clients, it is crucial that they operate with transparency and without compromising national security interests. Proper disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest is necessary to maintain public trust in the post-government activities of these individuals.
Furthermore, this incident underscores the need for stronger regulations and oversight surrounding the post-government employment of former officials. Stricter guidelines should be in place to prevent any conflicts of interest and ensure that the actions of former officials do not undermine national security or the interests of their home country.
In response to these revelations, it is imperative that appropriate measures be taken to address the concerns raised by Lynch’s actions. The Department of Justice should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter to determine the extent of Lynch’s involvement and whether any laws or regulations were violated. Additionally, the government should consider implementing stricter guidelines and disclosure requirements for former officials to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Ultimately, the episode surrounding Lynch’s alleged efforts to remove DJI from the U.S. military list highlights the need for greater scrutiny and regulation of the interactions between former U.S. officials and foreign clients. National security should always be the top priority, and any actions that compromise this should be thoroughly investigated and addressed. It is essential for the public to have confidence in the integrity and ethical conduct of their former government officials, especially when it comes to matters of national security.
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