East Michigan News

Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have reached out to the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, VA. They expressed concerns about the county's use of DJI drones, citing potential espionage risks and connections to the Chinese military.

Fairfax County, located near Washington DC, is a significant area for national security due to its proximity to key agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

In their letter, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi stated, “We understand Fairfax County currently operates a mixed fleet, and public safety programs, emergency services, and the fire department all utilize [unmanned aerial system] platforms to carry out their respective missions. The PRC-made UAS platforms and censors currently used by Fairfax County collect high-resolution imagery of facilities and individuals at risk, putting them at risk of being collected by the CCP.”

They further urged Fairfax County to avoid procuring or partnering with entities using PRC drones in future projects. "For these reasons," they wrote, "we urge Fairfax County to ensure PRC drones are excluded from procurement and partner programs in the future and assist other Counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia in adopting a drone procurement policy that adheres to the Virginia Public Procurement Act and the federal government’s framework of addressing PRC drones and its national security risks. A multi-faceted approach to government security is needed, and we would like to offer assistance as we develop standards for localities nationwide."

The lawmakers offered their help in removing DJI drones from Fairfax County's fleet while recommending more secure alternatives.

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