America’s adversaries are doing everything in their power to destroy the country. They’re becoming more emboldened by the day.
And a foreign spy was caught red handed interfering in U.S. elections.
A Chinese national was arrested on Thursday, accused of acting as an illegal agent for Beijing while serving as the campaign manager for a Southern California city councilmember elected two years ago.
Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, was taken into custody amid heightened concerns over alleged Chinese efforts to influence U.S. elections by backing candidates sympathetic to Beijing’s agenda. Officials claim this strategy aims to advance Chinese interests through local political footholds.
According to a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Sun allegedly collaborated with Chen Jun, a 71-year-old Chinese national who was sentenced last month to 20 months in prison for acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government.
Chen had previously pleaded guilty to using Chinese funds to bribe federal agents as part of a broader campaign to target the anti-Beijing spiritual group Falun Gong. The charges against Sun suggest Chen also sought to interfere in local elections.
Court documents allege that in 2023, Sun was instructed by Chen to write a report detailing efforts to help the local politician secure a city council seat.
Communications between the two men reportedly described the councilmember as a “new political star” and included a request for $80,000 to fund additional pro-Beijing initiatives in the U.S.
Prosecutors claim Chen urged Sun to identify American politicians connected to the councilmember, noting it would be “very effective to elevate” their profile in China.
“This case is yet another example of a very disturbing trend: the People’s Republic of China is seeking to influence foreign and domestic policy in the United States,” said Martin Estrada, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California.
“To do so, government officials in China are seeking to help get elected individuals who they see as being friendly to Chinese foreign policy.”
Sun’s arrest comes on the heels of another high-profile case in September, where Linda Sun, a former aide to two New York governors, was charged with acting as an illegal agent of Beijing.
Authorities allege she used her position to subtly advance China’s agenda in exchange for financial benefits totaling millions of dollars.
Prosecutors believe Yaoning Sun, who previously served in the Chinese military, was ideologically aligned with Beijing’s interests rather than financially motivated.
Sun, a resident of Chino Hills near Los Angeles, allegedly co-ran a media outlet called the “U.S. News Center” with the councilmember and covered some of the travel expenses for the politician.
The affidavit also alleges Sun and Chen discussed strategies for influencing U.S. policy.
This included efforts to protest a U.S. congressmember’s proposed visit to Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing, and arranging meetings between the councilmember and high-ranking Chinese diplomats. Plans were also allegedly made for the politician to travel to China.
It remains unclear whether Sun has legal representation. Prosecutors have not indicated any familial connection between Yaoning Sun and Linda Sun, noting their shared surname is common in China.
The case highlights growing concerns over foreign interference in U.S. elections and Beijing’s alleged use of covert operations to promote its geopolitical interests.
Stay tuned to the Federalist Wire.
