The U.S. is constantly under attack. And most of the threats are in the shadows.
Now federal agents uncovered a nationwide terror attack that has terrible repercussions.
FBI Charges Chinese Scholar in Agricultural Terrorism Plot
On Tuesday, federal authorities unsealed charges against Yunqing Jian, a Chinese scholar at the University of Michigan, accused of attempting to smuggle a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States. Jian, alongside her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, allegedly tried to bring Fusarium graminearum, a fungus capable of devastating major crop yields, into the country last July.
The pathogen, known for causing “head blight” in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, poses severe risks to agriculture and human health, with potential to cause billions in economic losses annually.
Details of the Smuggling Scheme
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Fusarium graminearum can trigger “vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.”
Prosecutors allege that Jian, described as “a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party,” and Liu engaged in a “scheme” with significant national security implications.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. stated, “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.”
The plot was uncovered when Customs and Border Protection officers at Detroit Metropolitan Airport intercepted Liu, who was carrying the pathogen.
An FBI special agent noted in the criminal filing, “When Customs and Border Protection officers questioned Liu, he made false statements to CBP officers about the purpose of his visit to the United States, and his knowledge of the existence of the biological pathogen in his possession.”
Liu later admitted to smuggling the pathogen, claiming he intended to conduct research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked.
Jian, who earned a doctorate in plant pathogens from Zhejiang University in China, received funding from a Chinese government-backed foundation for her post-doctoral research on the fungus.
Overall Context of Chinese Nationals and U.S. Security Concerns
This case follows another recent incident involving a Chinese national at the University of Michigan, who was charged last week with illegally voting in the 2024 U.S. election.
The student, who had legally entered the U.S., cast a ballot at an early voting site in October before fleeing to China, as reported by The Daily Wire. These incidents have heightened scrutiny of foreign nationals’ activities at U.S. institutions.
The Trump administration has responded by announcing plans to “aggressively revoke” Chinese student visas, stating, “The United States will not tolerate the [Chinese Communist Party’s] exploitation of U.S. universities or theft of U.S. research intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power, conduct intelligence collection or repress voices of opposition.”
Jian is set to make her initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, as authorities continue to address potential threats to national security.
