During the recently conducted House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence’s World Wide Threat hearing, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) raised questions that included examining domestic violent extremism foreign support.
The effort in which Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines,
Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) Gen. Paul Nakasone, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray participated involved discussing the threats the nation presently faces from China, as well as potential foreign-financing of domestic violent extremists.
Krishnamoorthi questioned Haines regarding whether Chinese President Xi Jinping’s power has grown stronger. He asked Nakasone whether China has the capability to disrupt infrastructure – electrical grids – in American cities and asked Wray whether there is any evidence of financial linkages between foreign entities or foreign governments and domestic violent extremist groups.
In response, officials noted Wray cited concern with instances of what he called contributions in-kind between non-state actors and domestic violent extremists domestically and advised Krishnamoorthi to follow up in the closed session.
“I remain concerned by China and the threat it poses to the United States’ national security and economy,” Krishnamoorthi said. “We need to prevent a situation such as China turning the lights out in an entire American city or siphoning data from us in a cybersecurity attack. Our infrastructure must be secure, and our intelligence agencies must have the resources they need to identify and respond to potential threats. The hearing was also crucial in restoring the strong relationship and coordination between the Intelligence Community and Congress.”