A Democrat who once bragged about his fondness for China was questioned about potential foreign ties during Kamala Harris’ failed presidential campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the vice presidential vetting process.
The revelation surfaced as fallout continues over the Harris campaign’s questioning of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro about whether he had ever acted as an agent for Israel, a claim Shapiro detailed in his recent memoir and confirmed by CNN.
“I told her how offensive the question was,” Shapiro wrote.
Sources told CNN that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was also subjected to intense scrutiny over his long history of praise for China and its communist system, with the campaign pressing him on whether his views and travel raised concerns about foreign influence. The outlet cited four unnamed sources familiar with the vetting process.
The questions, sources said, were not arbitrary.
Walz has a well-documented record of expressing admiration for China during his years as a teacher, including remarks praising communist ideology.
“It means that everyone is the same and everyone shares,” Walz said in 1991 while teaching.
“The doctor and the construction worker make the same. The Chinese government and the place they work for provide housing and 14 kg or about 30 pounds of rice per month. They get food and housing,” he added.
Minnesota Public Radio later reported that Walz exaggerated how often he traveled to China, raising further red flags during the vetting process.
Hellbound and Down 