University of Michigan now under fire after Chinese scholars allegedly smuggle bio-weapon



A university has become the target of a federal investigation following an alarming pattern of potential national security threats.

In June, two Chinese scholars with ties to the University of Michigan were charged with attempting to smuggle a biological pathogen that could devastate crops into the United States. The suspects claimed they wanted to use the fungus, Fusarium graminearum, to conduct research at the university's laboratory.

'As the recipient of federal research funding, UM has both a moral and legal obligation to be completely transparent about its foreign partnerships.'

Interim U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon described the pathogens as a "potential agroterrorism weapon."

One week later, federal authorities arrested another Chinese scholar with ties to the university on similar charges. The suspect was accused of mailing packages containing "biological material related to round worms" from Wuhan to the Michigan university.

The recent arrests appear to have prompted the Trump administration's Department of Education to open an investigation into the University of Michigan for allegedly violating federal disclosure laws.

A Tuesday letter from Education Department officials to UM interim President Domenico Grasso claimed that the university provided "incomplete, inaccurate, and untimely" disclosures of foreign gifts and contracts related to Chinese research. The university disclosed $375 million since January 2021, and roughly $86 million, or over 20%, was allegedly provided in an untimely manner.

The letter further stated that the university "erroneously identified" the counterparty as "nongovernmental" in "many" of its disclosure reports.

RELATED: From Wuhan to Michigan: Feds nab ANOTHER Chinese scholar in alleged bio-material smuggling plot

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The Education Department Chief Investigative Counsel Paul Moore stated, "Despite the University of Michigan's history of downplaying its vulnerabilities to malign foreign influence, recent reports reveal that UM's research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage, including what the U.S. Department of Justice recently described in criminal charges as 'potential agroterrorism' by Chinese nationals affiliated with UM. As the recipient of federal research funding, UM has both a moral and legal obligation to be completely transparent about its foreign partnerships."

"Unfortunately, tens of millions of dollars in foreign funding in UM's disclosure reports have been reported in an untimely manner and appear to erroneously identify some of UM's foreign funders as 'nongovernmental entities,' even though the foreign funders seem to be directly affiliated with foreign governments. [The Education Department's Office of General Counsel] will vigorously investigate this matter to ensure that the American people know the true scope of foreign funding and influence on our campuses."

RELATED: Agroterrorism plot? Chinese nationals arrested for smuggling potential bioweapon into US: FBI

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Colleen Mastony, UM's assistant vice president for public affairs, told the Detroit News that it "is dedicated to advancing knowledge, solving challenging problems, and improving nearly every facet of the human experience. Our research enterprise is united in this commitment to serving the people of Michigan and the world."

"The University of Michigan takes its responsibility to comply with the law extremely seriously, and we will cooperate fully with federal investigators. We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university's critical public mission," Mastony added.

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Chinese national accused of smuggling BIOWEAPON into America



FBI Director Kash Patel made a scary announcement this week — that a Chinese national has been accused of trying to smuggle a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States.

“I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country,” Patel wrote in a post on X.

According to Patel, Yunqing Jian “is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called ‘Fusarium graminearum,’ which is an agroterrorism agent, into the U.S. to research at the University of Michigan, where she works.”


This particular fungus is dangerous, as it can cause a disease called “head blight,” which Patel explained is “a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice” that causes “significant health issues in both humans and livestock.”

Patel also reported that there is evidence that Jian “had expressed loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party” and has “received funding from the Chinese government for similar work on this pathogen in China.”

Charlie LeDuff of “No BS Newshour” tells BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales that the University of Michigan is his “alma mater,” and it’s “corrupt.”

“The University of Michigan, which is routinely considered the best or second best, has one of the largest endowments,” LeDuff says on “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered,” noting that researchers like Jian “don’t teach classes” and are “funded by the National Science Foundation.”

“The Chinese government gives you a stipend. They might also contribute to the university. Nobody’s vetted, and you’re doing Fusarium fungi that attacks plants so they can’t grow, which leads to starvation,” he continues.

“The University of Michigan is corrupt. They had the biggest DEI program in the country. ... I want my university back,’” he adds.

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Agroterrorism plot? Chinese nationals arrested for smuggling potential bioweapon into US: FBI



Federal authorities arrested two Chinese nationals after they were accused of attempting to smuggle a potential bioweapon into the United States, claiming they wanted to use it to conduct research at the University of Michigan.

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced charges against Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend, 34-year-old Zunyong Liu.

'These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a "potential agroterrorism weapon" into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme.'

According to authorities, Liu arrived in the U.S. with a bag of fungus, Fusarium graminearum, which could be used as a potential agricultural terrorism weapon. The biological pathogen causes a devastating disease in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, the Detroit News reported.

RELATED: Rubio to 'aggressively' revoke Chinese nationals' student visas to eviscerate CCP's spy invasion

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An FBI agent claimed in a criminal filing that Liu made “false statements” to Customs and Border Protection officers regarding his reason for visiting the U.S. and his knowledge of the fungus in his possession.

“Ultimately, Liu admitted to smuggling the pathogen and stated that he brought the pathogen into the United States so that he could conduct research on it at a laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked,” the agent wrote.

Interim U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon stated, “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals — including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party — are of the gravest national security concerns.”

“These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” Gorgon added.

RELATED: Chinese national accused of voting in US election skips hearing, prompting bench warrant

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The federal charges follow President Donald Trump’s crackdown on China’s infiltration of American universities.

Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the administration would implement new visa restrictions on Chinese students.

He wrote in a post on X, “The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.”

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