Biden reterns $$ as Barbara Boxer registers as a foreign agent for a Chinese surveillance firm

[MelissaB]

New: the Biden inaugural says it's refunding a donation from former senator Barbara Boxer after she registered as a foreign agent for a Chinese surveillance firm accused of abetting the mass internment of Uighur Muslims

Link to tweet

Scoop: Biden inaugural returns cash from ex-senator-turned-foreign agent

President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee will refund a donation from former Sen. Barbara Boxer after the California Democrat registered as a foreign agent for a Chinese surveillance firm accused of abetting the country’s mass internment of Uighur Muslims, officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Boxer’s contribution was just $500, but the Biden team’s decision to return the money shows how the incoming administration will try to balance its sweeping ethics commitments with K Street efforts to enlist high-profile Democrats with an eye towards advancing clients' interests in Biden's Washington.

The big picture: Boxer, who served in the Senate from 1993 to 2017, will provide “strategic consulting services" to the Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision’s U.S. subsidiary, according to documents filed with the Justice Department by Mercury Public Affairs on Friday. Boxer co-chairs the firm’s Los Angeles office.

In 2019, the Trump administration barred Hikvision from doing business with American firms absent a U.S. government license, citing the parent company's alleged involvement in the repression of Muslim minorities in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Last year it accused Hikvision of ties to the Chinese military and prohibited U.S. investment in the company.

The state-owned China Electronics Technology Group is Hikvision's controlling stakeholder. Hikvision cameras have been installed at internment camps in Xinjiang, where more than a million Uighurs are estimated to have been imprisoned or subjected to forced labor.

Biden’s presidential campaign described China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims as “genocide” last year and said he "stands against it in the strongest terms."

In an emailed statement, Boxer told Axios: "When I am asked to provide strategic advice to help a company operate in a more responsible and humane manner consistent with U.S. law in spirit and letter, it is an opportunity to make things better while helping protect and create American jobs.”

More: https://www.axios.com/barbara-boxer-biden-inaugural-foreign-agent-6022f95b-e6bd-44cc-b43c-2b7d50ffaca1.html

WTAF? I loved and had a lot of respect for Boxer.

[herding cats]

1. What is she thinking?

This shocks me.

[MelissaB]

4. I shocked me as well.

[KayF]

53. she's thinking about the money

probably lots of it to sell out this bad.

[Turin_C3PO]

2. What the hell?

Is this true??

[TheBlackAdder]

17. It's amazing how little people value their principles.

[Spider Jerusalem]

35. There clearly never were any principles.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

3. Wow

Speechless

[samnsara]

5. i do too and im reserving any judgement..shes a smart lady and knows what she is doing.

[Big Blue Marble]

16. Smart does not equal morals. NT

[Bluethroughu]

6. Just freaking wow!

[Polly Hennessey]

7. Barbara, whatever are you thinking.

Has retirement confused you. Is this true?

[iemitsu]

8. There is never enough money to satisfy the rich.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Has she lost her way?

Chasing every last ever-loving buck...I’ll never get that. Do something for your heart and soul and give the machine a friggin rest.

[frazzled]

10. ?????

Shame, Barbara.

[backtoblue]

11. Damn it man

[soothsayer]

12. Good for Biden

[OnDoutside]

13. Really disappointing

[MelissaB]

14. From Axios:

Scoop: Biden inaugural returns cash from ex-senator-turned-foreign agent

President-elect Joe Biden’s inaugural committee will refund a donation from former Sen. Barbara Boxer after the California Democrat registered as a foreign agent for a Chinese surveillance firm accused of abetting the country’s mass internment of Uighur Muslims, officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Boxer’s contribution was just $500, but the Biden team’s decision to return the money shows how the incoming administration will try to balance its sweeping ethics commitments with K Street efforts to enlist high-profile Democrats with an eye towards advancing clients' interests in Biden's Washington.

The big picture: Boxer, who served in the Senate from 1993 to 2017, will provide “strategic consulting services" to the Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision’s U.S. subsidiary, according to documents filed with the Justice Department by Mercury Public Affairs on Friday. Boxer co-chairs the firm’s Los Angeles office.

In 2019, the Trump administration barred Hikvision from doing business with American firms absent a U.S. government license, citing the parent company's alleged involvement in the repression of Muslim minorities in the Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Last year it accused Hikvision of ties to the Chinese military and prohibited U.S. investment in the company.

The state-owned China Electronics Technology Group is Hikvision's controlling stakeholder. Hikvision cameras have been installed at internment camps in Xinjiang, where more than a million Uighurs are estimated to have been imprisoned or subjected to forced labor.

Biden’s presidential campaign described China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims as “genocide” last year and said he "stands against it in the strongest terms."

In an emailed statement, Boxer told Axios: "When I am asked to provide strategic advice to help a company operate in a more responsible and humane manner consistent with U.S. law in spirit and letter, it is an opportunity to make things better while helping protect and create American jobs.”

More: https://www.axios.com/barbara-boxer-biden-inaugural-foreign-agent-6022f95b-e6bd-44cc-b43c-2b7d50ffaca1.html

[Big Blue Marble]

22. Why is Hikvision allowed to operate in the US?

Surveillance for the masses?

[OnDoutside]

31. She needs to make a much better statement than that

[TheBlackAdder]

15. That's a FUCKED UP FIRM. She will provide "STRAGEGIC CONSULTING SERVICES" Hikvision's U.S. subsidy.

[Mister Ed]

20. Then Democrats will denounce her and disassociate themselves from her.

Republicans would claim it's all lies, and make a hero of her.

[PatSeg]

18. Whoa, that is hard to believe

She was my senator for years and she also seemed to be close to Biden when he was in the senate.

[SheltieLover]

19. Wtf happened to her?

[NYC Liberal]

25. Does she need money that badly?

[SheltieLover]

32. I don't know.

But I am deeply disappointed in her.

And equally proud of Joe for his actions.

[BlueIdaho]

21. Not helpful Barbara...

Just not helpful.

[hunter]

23. Oh bother.

Personally I've lost all respect for religious fundamentalists of any flavor.

Anti-secularist religions SHOULD be persecuted, especially when they impose their will upon others by force.

Feed them to the lions.

I'm a very bad Catholic.

Or very good one.

Crucify me.

[JonLP24]

39. I don't think I understand your post with the context of the article

China is imposing their will on a religious minority.

[hunter]

40. Consider this my outing. I'm so damn done with any non-harmless religious minorities or majorities.

.

[JonLP24]

45. It seems they are targeted based on their identity whether they are harmless or not

They are put in re-education camps and undergo sinicization.

Secularlism must come with religious tolerance or otherwise who does secularism privilege?

I don't much about Uighers but as far as Muslims Wahabbism is the biggest issue and they have their own country with Saudi Arabia where they also go after religious minorities.

[hunter]

50. The collapse of fundamentalist Islam will be one of the major historical themes of the 21st century.

A minority compared to the suppressed loss of fundamentalist Christian Souls.

I'm so fucking done with "religious tolerance."

It didn't work.

[kcr]

57. I understand it. One of the worst posts ever on DU n/t

[Sympthsical]

43. Wait, you're ok with what China is doing to Muslims?

Am I reading that correctly?

Because, if so, yikes. I'm non-religious, but that's a bit much. Actually, that's a lot much.

[JonLP24]

46. I was wondering the same thing

[hunter]

48. see below...

.

[hunter]

47. Hi.

I've lived a lot much.

[Sympthsical]

49. Yikes, man. Just yikes. You realize it's a genocide, yes?

I generally enjoy your posts, but this one is a puzzler. I'm not a fan of religion either (gay man). Islam isn't my bag. But slave labor and forced sterilizations are a bit of a line I'm not willing to cross.

Genocide? You're ok with genocide? Really?

[hunter]

51. I'm not okay with genocide.

My ancestors fled to America to escape it.

That doesn't mean I fully embrace their religions.

[kcr]

58. Obviously, you are n/t

[aidbo]

24. The evident shock and surprise here amuses me.

[electric_blue68]

27. why? What do you base that comment on?

I don't know her well enough.

[aidbo]

29. I guess I'm easily amused.

[themaguffin]

26. That is so disappointing

[sakabatou]

28. WTF?!

[electric_blue68]

30. Woah, NOT good! I liked her.

[lillypaddle]

33. To say that is disappointing is an understatement

SMDH

[aikoaiko]

34. I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you.

[FreepFryer]

36. Such bad optics u gotta wonder if she's being put up to it by the right wing. Wtf, babs (Nt)

[shanti]

37. I am gobsmacked

She was my former senator. We need an answer to this!

[Sympthsical]

44. That was exactly the word I was about to reply with

I am not often surprised by politicians, but this one is just . . . how on earth . . . she is not a stupid person by any stretch. But this is so recklessly, uselessly stupid.

Republicans already claim Democrats are in bed with China. This was her play? Thanks, Senator. Thanks so much.

[Amishman]

38. China has been buying a lot of friends in washington

and the Republicans do not have a monopoly on greed.

One area where we can find some common ground with the Right and not feel dirty about it is in efforts to distance ourselves from China politically and especially economically.

China is not our friend.

[Marrah_Goodman]

41. Wow.... disgusting move on her part.

[jalan48]

42. Wha? That's it. I'm throwing away my Barbara Boxer Pom Poms.

[Crunchy Frog]

52. I'm really disappointed.

[demmiblue]

54. Whoa!

[Raine]

55. DISGUSTING 👎 ... I thought she was better then that ☹

makes me sorry I ever voted for her!!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

56. Lol.