In a recent interview with Breitbart News, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) revealed that she is currently the target of a malign influence operation orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This follows her vocal criticisms of the CCP and its detrimental impact on the United States. Blackburn emphasized that these efforts are not new; she has faced persistent social media campaigns aimed at discrediting her. In light of her re-election campaign against Democratic challenger Rep. Gloria Johnson, she expressed concern about disinformation tactics being used to undermine her candidacy, connecting the CCP’s interference to the broader narrative around our national security.
Blackburn appears to be leveraging her position to highlight her strong stance against China, which she believes resonates with the American public. She recently released a campaign advertisement titled “It’s Time to Break China,” where she articulates her perspective on the threats posed by the CCP. In the ad, she makes bold statements about China’s economic and public health tolls on the United States, asserting that they have stolen jobs, spread a virus, and are engaged in espionage. Blackburn claims her tough rhetoric reflects the sentiments of constituents who recognize these issues and feel that decisive action is necessary to safeguard American interests.
In her dialogue with Breitbart News, Blackburn noted that public reception to her campaign ad has been overwhelmingly positive. Voters, according to her, are increasingly aware of China’s detrimental actions, including job loss and threats to public safety. She highlighted the situation surrounding TikTok as a specific concern for families, portraying it as a tool for collecting data on children. Blackburn believes that these issues have cultivated a strong anti-China sentiment among her constituents, and she hopes to utilize this support to enact measures to hold China accountable in Congress.
Moving forward, Blackburn articulated her intentions for legislative action after the 2024 elections. She expressed a desire to seek bipartisan collaboration to ensure China adheres to its trade commitments. Blackburn emphasized the need for the U.S. to impose sanctions on China, especially in response to provocative actions like flying spy balloons over American territory. She also called for divesting from TikTok to protect children’s data and proposed the elimination of Confucius Institutes and Confucius classrooms in educational institutions, arguing that they facilitate Chinese propaganda efforts in the U.S.
Beyond economic concerns, Blackburn pointed to the security ramifications of China’s actions. She described the regular probing of U.S. military bases by CCP actors, along with cyberattacks targeting American hospitals. According to Blackburn, healthcare administrators report experiencing frequent cyber intrusions, which she attributes largely to China and its allies. This violence-oriented narrative positions China as a primary adversary and reflects a broader geopolitical struggle that Blackburn believes Americans must confront in defense of national security.
Lastly, Blackburn articulated a vision for American global strategy in the face of China’s advancing influence, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and debt diplomacy. She called attention to China’s ambition to expand its footprint strategically around the world, especially in the Western Hemisphere. Her comments on this issue highlight a belief that China’s actions could lead to a fundamentally altered global balance of power if left unchecked. By framing her campaign in the context of a larger existential battle against an aggressive and expansionist China, Blackburn aligns her re-election efforts with calls for reasserting American dominance and resilience on the world stage.