In a stunning example of treachery, the FBI apprehended two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, and a former soldier, Ruoyu Duan, for allegedly selling state secrets to China. The three men face charges of bribery, theft, and transmitting national defense information. One of the active soldiers, Zhao, was allegedly paid $10,000 for classified hard drives, while the others shared data on American weapon systems.
For context, in response to the case, Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned their treachery and promised retribution. Likewise, FBI Director Kash Patel and Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox emphasized the seriousness of these crimes, tying them to a broader wave of foreign espionage.
During the commission of the crime, Sgt. Jian Zhao spoke to a handler in China about the details of transmitting the classified data. Zhao asked, “Do you know how risky this is ?!?” Responding, the CCP handler said, “[i]f I were in your position, I would not dare.”
Reacting to the arrest of the two soldiers, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China. They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”
Continuing the unified response from the Trump administration, FBI Director Kash Patel added, “While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information.”
Offering another reaction, Brigadier General Rhett R. Cox, who serves at the Army Counterintelligence Command, said that this shocking case is indicative of a wider trend. Cox stated, “These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation.”
Explaining the close relationship between the ARMY and intelligence services, General Cox explained, “Along with the Department of Justice and FBI, Army Counterintelligence Command will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable who irresponsibly and selfishly abandon the Army values and choose personal gain over duty to our nation.”
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Concluding his remarks, the Brigadier General issued a warning to the troops, saying, “We remind all members of the Army team to increase their vigilance and protect our Army by reporting suspicious activity.”
Building on these points, FBI Special Agent Mike Herrington described the ominous threat China poses to America. He explained, “The threat from China remains particularly pervasive across multiple different domains, whether it’s cyber, whether it’s individuals like this who have been recruited to provide information or other means to penetrate both our intellectual property as well as our national defense information.”
Slaming the two traitorous men, Harrington said, “It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers. These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account.
Tying this event to the mission of the FBI, the special agent added, “Protecting the nation’s secrets, especially those necessary to preserve our military advantage and protect our troops, is one of the FBI’s top priorities.”