Letter to William J. Burns, Director of Central Intelligence Agency - Chinese Communist Party Working for Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Letter

Dear Director Burns,

The mission of the Central Intelligence Agency is to "leverage the power of information to keep our Nation safe." As Director, you have a critical role in stopping threats before they happen and furthering U.S. national security objectives. Unfortunately, I am concerned with your ability to prevent and report malign foreign influence.

Foreign adversaries often infiltrate and financially influence non-governmental organizations in exchange for favorable research publications. Experts believe numerous foreign governments are backing American think tanks and nonprofits and that the Chinese Communist Party and Russian government are among those who seek to influence U.S. policymakers in this way.

During your tenure as President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, there were multiple instances of strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In fact, there are at least 20 examples of Carnegie employing individuals affiliated with the CCP, including individuals funded by the Department of Defense handling nuclear policy and international relations. Despite claims you made at your Senate hearing confirmation that you put an end to CCP influence at Carnegie, there is an individual
on Carnegie's board of trustees today who is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which is the "highest-ranking entity overseeing the United Front system." The United Front system is used to "co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party."

The vast influence the CCP had at Carnegie during your tenure as President and the continued influence they have today despite claims you made at your confirmation hearing that you had ended the CCP's influence presents a significant lapse in judgment and brings into question your ability to identify and mitigate national security risks. It is my hope that we can clarify these contradictions and ensure that you are doing everything in your power to counter CCP's malign influence within our tax-exempt sector.

* While at Carnegie, when did you first become aware of the possibility of the CCP attempting to influence operations at Carnegie? Do you believe the CCP influenced or encouraged the self censorship of any individuals at or affiliated with Carnegie?
* While at Carnegie, how many individuals affiliated with the CCP did Carnegie employ or associate with?
* During your time at Carnegie, you stated you began a program "countering foreign influence operations which were aimed mostly at China and Russia." What specific safeguards were in place to deter influence from the CCP and other foreign adversaries, and would you consider the program a success?
* What conditions or restrictions did the CCP place on Carnegie while operating in China? What specific safeguards did you implement to ensure Carnegie could remain independent?
* Do you believe influential non-governmental organizations, like Carnegie, have a responsibility to screen and vet individuals affiliated with foreign governments before they are employed?
* Would you consider it a national security risk to have foreign adversaries, specifically individuals affiliated with the CCP, work on projects funded by the Department of Defense that deal with U.S. nuclear policy?
* Since being confirmed on March 19, 2021, as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, how many times have you interacted with someone employed by or affiliated with Carnegie?
* As Director of the CIA, have you directed the agency to develop guidance or policy for NGOs to detect and counter malign foreign influence?

I appreciate your attention to this critical matter, and I look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,
Lance Gooden
Member of Congress

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