Attorney warns China agent case may be symptom of greater systematic problem
California mayor pleads guilty to acting as Chinese agent
Arcadia, Calif., Mayor Eileen Wang’s criminal complaint that she served as an illegal Chinese agent raises national security concerns. Political strategist Katie Zacharia describes Arcadia as ‘Little China’ and calls for vetting of foreign nationals. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ comments on redistricting are disputed by Zacharia.
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Lawyer Katie Zacharia sounded alarmed Tuesday after a California mayor pleaded guilty to acting as an agent of the Chinese government, warning that the case could be just the tip of the iceberg.
“There needs to be thorough vetting of not only legal permanent residents, but people coming here from hostile countries…” Zacharia said on “Fox and Friends First.”
“These green card holders need to be eliminated completely and sent back home,” he added.
Zacharia’s concerns come after the Department of Justice announced that Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, had been charged with acting as an unlawful agent of the People’s Republic of China.
CALIFORNIA MAYOR ACCUSED OF WORKING UNDERCOVER FOR CHINA, SPREADING PROPAGANDA IN HIS OFFICE: FED
Arcadia, Calif. skyline and former Mayor Eileen Wang is accused of acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government, according to federal prosecutors. (Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images/City of Arcadia – City Hall Facebook)
Wang agreed to plead guilty to the felony charge, insisting that the decision was “personal in nature” and “did not misrepresent.” [her] “The love and commitment to Arcadia will always remain strong.”
He now faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine, but what the sentence will be will be determined by a federal judge.
But Zacharia finds the 10-year prospect terrifying.
THE MOST SHOCKING EXAMPLES OF CHINESE SPYING REVEALED BY THE USA THIS YEAR: ‘JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG’
Arcadia City Hall in California. Mayor Eileen Wang resigned after being indicted in a federal case related to acting as an illegal agent for China. (Jesse Watson/Fox News Digital)
“Actually, as a US citizen, this is a bit offensive,” he said.
“This person was acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the CCP. There should be no favors whatsoever. They should literally be sent back to the People’s Republic of China.”
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According to previous reports, federal prosecutors said Wang admitted that from at least 2020 to 2022, he acted “under the direction and control” of Chinese government officials, coordinating with individuals in the United States to spread pro-Beijing messages without notifying the U.S. attorney general as required by law.
The described conduct occurred before Wang takes office on the Arcadia City Council in December 2022.
Local officials said Wang’s behavior had no impact on city operations.
Fox News’ Stepheny Price and Matt Finn contributed to this report.
