Cotton to DOJ: Investigate Communist China Influence on Data Center Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah McCarthy (202) 465-5601
June 10, 2026

Cotton to DOJ: Investigate Communist China Influence on Data Center Development

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting an investigation into the efforts of foreign adversaries, including Communist China, to manipulate U.S. policy and public opinion on data centers. AI infrastructure is vital to maintaining America's AI advantage, an economic and national security priority.

In part, Senator Cotton wrote:

"I write requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate foreign influence efforts targeting the buildout of American AI infrastructure. Alarming reports indicate that a network of foreign actors, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is attempting to manipulate U.S. policy and public opinion on data centers. Maintaining America's AI advantage is vital to American economic strength, diplomacy, national security, and military power. Americans certainly have valid concerns about potential rising energy costs and strains on natural resources related to data centers, and we should implement common sense regulations and legislation to protect communities from adverse effects. But we can't allow any effort by foreign adversaries to extort these fears and undermine our technological development."

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

June 10, 2026

The Honorable Todd Blanche
Acting Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Mr. Blanche,

I write requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate foreign influence efforts targeting the buildout of American AI infrastructure. Alarming reports indicate that a network of foreign actors, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is attempting to manipulate U.S. policy and public opinion on data centers. Maintaining America's AI advantage is vital to American economic strength, diplomacy, national security, and military power. Americans certainly have valid concerns about potential rising energy costs and strains on natural resources related to data centers, and we should implement common sense regulations and legislation to protect communities from adverse effects. But we can't allow any effort by foreign adversaries to extort these fears and undermine our technological development.

A recent report uncovers a multi-year campaign waged across multiple vectors of foreign influence. Among them is a network of U.S. nonprofits funded by Neville Roy Singham, a Shanghai-based American expatriate under U.S.-government scrutiny for his ties to the Chinese Communists. For years, Singham's network has been producing content opposing the development of American AI infrastructure, and various investigations have found that the Chinese government is the network's ultimate paymaster. All while the Chinese government promotes its own AI ambitions at home, where sentiments are overwhelmingly pro-technology.

Foreign-funded charitable entities tied to this campaign have reportedly funneled more than $2 billion into U.S. advocacy organizations, with a significant portion going to groups that are driving the campaign against U.S. data centers and influencing policymakers. Just one month ago, Senator Bernie Sanders hosted a 75-minute panel on "the existential threat of AI" where two of the four panelists were Chinese government affiliates. This included a professor from Tsinghua University, a crown jewel of China's Military-Civil Fusion strategy and a host to multiple defense research laboratories.

Several of these matters are already under congressional review. Yet no entity in the network has been charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). I therefore request that the DOJ launch a full investigation into these matters.

Sincerely,

Tom Cotton
United States Senator

###