Walz Was Asked if He Was Chinese Agent During Veep Vetting
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was questioned about possible ties to China during the vetting process for vice president, according to a report published by CNN, which examined how the Democratic campaign screened potential running mates.
The report follows disclosures by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who wrote in his forthcoming memoir, Where We Keep the Light, that the campaign team of then–Vice President Kamala Harris asked whether he had ever acted as an agent for Israel.
According to four people familiar with the process who spoke to CNN, Harris’ aides closely reviewed Walz’s history of frequent travel to China prior to his entry into public office as part of that vetting.
In his book, Shapiro wrote that he was offended by the question posed by the campaign’s top lawyer and believed it was raised solely because he is Jewish.
Shapiro added that the exchange “said a lot about some of the people around the VP.”
He also disclosed that he was asked directly by attorney Dana Remus, “Have you ever communicated with an undercover agent of Israel?”
Shapiro said he replied sarcastically, “If they were undercover, I responded, ‘How the hell would I know?’”
Four individuals involved in the vetting process told CNN that questions about serving as a foreign agent are routinely included on standard forms completed by politicians being considered for senior roles, including government appointments.
“The crux of vetting is asking uncomfortable and even farfetched questions, especially ones that could be raised by your opponents,” a person close to Remus told CNN.
“Have you ever had an affair? Have you ever embezzled state funds? Have you ever been an agent for another country?” the person added.
“The point isn’t that you believe any of it to be true,” the same source said. “It’s that the subject needs to be on record with definitive answers.”
Another aide involved in the process told CNN that, “Pulling punches would have been a disservice to both the nominee and her potential running mate.”
Harris aides also told CNN that Walz was informed in advance about the nature of the questioning in order to fully explain how the vetting process operated.
According to aides cited in the report, both Shapiro and Walz denied being foreign agents when the questions were put to them.
{Matzav.com}