Governor Issues Executive Order Against Foreign Influence

Signature

Texas Governor Greg Abbott takes decisive action against Chinese Communist Party influence operations, issuing an executive order to protect residents and combat foreign interference.

At a Glance

  • Governor Abbott’s executive order targets Chinese government influence operations in Texas.
  • Texas law enforcement directed to arrest individuals involved in “Operation Fox Hunt.”
  • Order aims to protect over 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent in Texas from CCP harassment.
  • Texas Department of Public Safety to collaborate with federal authorities and establish reporting hotline.

Governor Abbott’s Bold Move Against Foreign Interference

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order aimed at dismantling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence operations in the state. The order calls for active collaboration between Texas law enforcement agencies and federal authorities to track down and detain individuals engaged in activities meant to pressure Chinese dissidents and other Texans.

Abbott’s executive order underscores a strategic effort to mitigate foreign harassment and coercion, with a specific focus on protecting individuals from unlawful foreign pressure to return to their home countries. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is set to develop additional policy recommendations and establish a hotline to report such incidents.

Targeting “Operation Fox Hunt” and CCP Harassment

The executive order specifically targets the Chinese government’s “Operation Fox Hunt,” an initiative allegedly used to intimidate and repatriate dissidents. This action comes in response to the CCP’s global harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents, which has caught the attention of U.S. law enforcement agencies.

“The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China” – Abbott

The U.S. Justice Department has already prosecuted individuals connected to “Operation Fox Hunt,” highlighting the severity of the issue. Abbott emphasized that Texas will not tolerate harassment of its Chinese-descended residents by the CCP, stating the order’s intent to protect over 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent in Texas.

Collaborative Efforts and Reporting Mechanisms

The Texas Department of Public Safety will collaborate with local and federal law enforcement through the Texas Fusion Center to assess incidents of foreign intimidation. DPS is tasked with identifying and charging suspects, providing policy recommendations by January 15, 2025, and establishing a hotline for reporting coercion related to “Operation Fox Hunt.”

“We will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party.” – Gov. Greg Abbott

The FBI in Houston has been actively working to stop foreign government harassment and is seeking potential victims in the area. They have set up a hotline for victims of Chinese government harassment at (713) 693-5000. Additionally, Texans can report suspicious activity anonymously via iwatchtx.org, the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251.

Addressing Broader Concerns

Abbott’s executive order also mentions the existence of Chinese “police service stations” worldwide, with one rumored to be in Houston. This highlights the broader concerns about CCP influence beyond individual harassment cases. The order involves collaboration with federal law enforcement to address crimes targeting dissidents and develop policy recommendations to counter foreign harassment threats.

“Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies.” – Abbott

By issuing this executive order, Governor Abbott has taken a strong stance against foreign interference and demonstrated Texas’s commitment to protecting its residents from unlawful coercion and harassment by foreign entities. The collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies, along with new reporting mechanisms, aim to create a safer environment for all Texans, particularly those of Chinese descent who may be targeted by CCP influence operations.

Sources:

  1. Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas
  2. Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Targeting Chinese Communist Party’s Harassment Of Texans
  3. Governor Abbott Orders Arrest Of People Carrying Out CCP Influence Operations

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