DOJ Curbs Trump-Era Zeal for China Spy Probes as Cases Fail
- ‘China Initiative’ under Trump produced cases that fell short
- Garland pledges allegations won’t be ‘based on discrimination’
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The Trump administration went all-in on what it called its “China Initiative,” with the Justice Department prosecuting Chinese and Chinese-American researchers it said were stealing U.S. secrets while hiding their links to the government in Beijing and the People’s Liberation Army.
Now, after a number of those cases fizzled in court and amid growing criticism that the initiative leads to discrimination against Asian-Americans, Justice Department leadership under Attorney General Merrick Garland is moving more cautiously.