CHINESE NATIONALS CAUGHT — Crop Attack Plot Busted

Chinese operatives caught smuggling a dangerous wheat-killing fungus into America have sparked a sweeping overhaul of U.S. food security, as the USDA terminates partnerships with China and implements significant SNAP program restrictions.

Key Takeaways

• Two Chinese nationals were arrested for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus considered a potential agroterrorism weapon, into the United States.
• USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced a comprehensive food security initiative in response, including ending a partnership between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a USDA research facility.
• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has permanently terminated gain-of-function research studies, previously under a national moratorium.
• Three additional states have received waivers to eliminate soda and candy purchases from SNAP benefits, bringing the total to six states implementing these nutrition-focused restrictions.
• The smuggled fungus could potentially devastate American wheat crops, representing a direct threat to national food security and economic stability.

Chinese Agricultural Terrorism Plot Uncovered

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that two Chinese nationals, Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, have been charged with smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States. The individuals are accused of importing Fusarium graminearum, a destructive fungus that agricultural experts classify as a potential agroterrorism weapon. This pathogen causes significant damage to wheat and barley crops, generating substantial economic losses in agriculture while simultaneously posing serious health threats to both humans and livestock. The severity of this threat cannot be overstated, as the fungus could potentially devastate American food production systems if released into domestic agricultural environments.

“This case is a sobering reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate our institutions and target our food supply, an act that could cripple our economy and endanger American lives. Smuggling a known agroterrorism agent into the U.S. is not just a violation of law, it’s a direct threat to national security. I commend the FBI Detroit Division and our partners at CBP for stopping this biological threat before it could do real damage,” said FBI Director Kash Patel

The investigation revealed troubling connections between the perpetrators and the Chinese government. According to federal authorities, Jian received direct funding from Chinese government sources and maintains documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party. His co-conspirator, Liu, has reportedly admitted to smuggling the pathogen into America specifically for unauthorized research purposes at the University of Michigan. The duo faces multiple serious charges including conspiracy, smuggling biological materials, making false statements to federal officials, and visa fraud. The Justice Department is currently considering pursuing additional felony indictments as the investigation continues to uncover the full scope of this operation.

USDA Launches Comprehensive Food Security Initiative

In direct response to this national security threat, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced a sweeping new initiative to strengthen American food security protections. The comprehensive plan includes a complete reevaluation of USDA operations and enhanced collaboration with the broader agricultural community. Most notably, Rollins has terminated a controversial partnership between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a USDA research facility in Georgia, signaling a decisive shift away from potentially risky international scientific collaborations that could compromise American agricultural safety. This decisive action represents a critical step in protecting America’s food supply from foreign interference.

“If we don’t have food security in this country we will not have national security,” said Brooke Rollins.

The urgency of this initiative has been underscored by the filing of a third criminal complaint against yet another Chinese scientist for smuggling biological material into the United States. This pattern of agricultural espionage has prompted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take parallel action by permanently ending all gain-of-function research studies, which were previously under a temporary national moratorium. Kennedy’s decisive stance eliminates the possibility of dangerous pathogen enhancement research that could potentially trigger future pandemics, reflecting the administration’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary biological risks across all sectors.

SNAP Program Reforms Target Nutrition and Public Health

Alongside the food security measures, Secretary Rollins has implemented significant reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Working in coordination with HHS Secretary Kennedy, Rollins has approved waivers for three additional states to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for purchasing sodas and candy, bringing the total to six states now implementing these nutrition-focused restrictions. This policy shift aligns with the administration’s commitment to public health by ensuring that the $119 billion food stamp program prioritizes nutritious food purchases rather than subsidizing empty calories that contribute to the nation’s obesity epidemic.

“Secretary Rollins told me, ‘Yeah they came to my office.’ I asked her, “What did you tell them?’ She said ‘We’re paying for nutrition, and there’s no nutrition in your product,” said Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The financial impact of these SNAP reforms is substantial. Of the program’s $119 billion annual budget, an estimated $27 billion has historically been spent on junk food with minimal nutritional value. A 2014 study suggested that banning SNAP subsidies for sugary drinks alone could significantly reduce obesity rates among program participants, potentially generating substantial healthcare savings. The policy changes reflect a common-sense approach that ensures taxpayer dollars support genuine nutrition rather than products that contribute to chronic health conditions, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to both fiscal responsibility and public health improvement.

Strengthening America’s Agricultural Security

The comprehensive response to this agricultural terrorism threat exemplifies President Trump’s America First approach to national security. By simultaneously addressing immediate security threats, reforming international scientific partnerships, and improving domestic nutrition programs, the administration has demonstrated a multi-faceted strategy for protecting American interests. The case represents part of broader efforts to address foreign influence and security threats at American universities and research institutions, highlighting the need for increased vigilance in protecting critical infrastructure from hostile foreign actors. As the investigation continues, Americans can expect additional measures to secure the nation’s food supply chain from similar threats.

“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

The swift and coordinated response from multiple federal agencies including the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, USDA, and HHS demonstrates the administration’s commitment to addressing complex threats to American sovereignty. By implementing these protective measures, the government is ensuring that America’s agricultural sector—a critical component of national security and economic stability—remains resilient against both natural threats and deliberate attacks. The ongoing initiative will continue to evolve as officials complete their comprehensive review of agricultural security protocols and implement additional safeguards where needed.