Lawmakers Urge Investigation into Alleged Foreign Influence on Data Center Opposition

Washington DC, United States Jul 24, 2026 ALN: Lawmakers are calling on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate alleged foreign influence in the nationwide campaign to block construction of data centers. This request has emerged amidst growing concerns regarding the geopolitical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) development and infrastructure in the United States.

A letter penned by Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, and signed by multiple GOP lawmakers claims foreign-linked organizations and advocacy networks are attempting to obstruct the establishment of data centers, which are critical to the U.S. maintaining its competitive edge in AI technology. The lawmakers assert that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to give countries like China an advantage in the global AI race. "We believe that the Chinese and also the Russians are colluding and working to make sure that the United States of America is not the leader when it comes to AI policy and development," Gooden told Fox News Digital in an interview. "They are so sophisticated with respect to disinformation and manipulating our processes here in the United States against us."

The urgency of this investigation stems from the accelerated demand for AI technologies, which has made data centers essential for providing the necessary computing power, electricity, and infrastructure to process vast amounts of information. Data centers serve as the backbone of the digital economy, enabling everything from cloud computing to AI model training. However, proposed facilities often face significant opposition from local communities and environmental advocates who argue that such developments can lead to increased utility costs and environmental degradation.

A notable instance of this opposition occurred in January when Jack Tensley, a self-described "organizer" for the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), testified before the Frederick County Planning Commission in Maryland against the construction of a data center in Virginia. His testimony highlighted concerns over security risks associated with data centers, particularly in light of the increasing frequency of infrastructure attacks and cyberattacks. Tensley expressed his apprehension, stating, "My really big fear here is the security risk. We have infrastructure attacks and failures, cyberattacks that happen — I want to know if this puts a target on the back of Frederick County. I see a lot of risk here."

The opposition from groups like PSL is not merely a localized phenomenon; it reflects a broader national movement. In a social media post from Party for Socialism and Liberation Boston, the organization articulated its stance against data centers, framing the issue as one of economic inequality and corporate control. The post stated, "Workers are rising up across the country in a growing movement against the tech billionaires – from fights against data centers in hundreds of cities, to labor organizing at the world’s biggest tech corporations." This sentiment resonates with many who view the tech industry as increasingly monopolized by a small number of wealthy individuals and corporations.

Central to the allegations of foreign influence is Neville Roy Singham, a 72-year-old American entrepreneur who sold his tech company for $785 million in 2017 and subsequently relocated to Shanghai. Singham has garnered attention for his financial support of pro-Chinese Communist Party groups operating within the United States. According to a Fox News Digital investigation, he has funneled approximately $278 million into a vast network of nonprofits since 2017. This network is alleged to be involved in influencing public discourse around AI and data center operations in the U.S. Singham is currently under a grand jury investigation in the Southern District of New York regarding his financial activities, a probe that was authorized by Acting Attorney General Blanche. Despite repeated inquiries, Singham has not responded to requests for comment and has not been charged with any crime to date.

The letter to Blanche also references reports from both the Bitcoin Policy Institute and OpenAI, which have outlined the purported role of foreign influence in campaigns against data center production. OpenAI, a leading AI research organization, has stated that it identified "two clusters of ChatGPT accounts likely originating from China" that were banned after using their models in support of covert influence operations. These operations were aimed at promoting narratives intended to manipulate legitimate debates about American AI and technology policies.

Furthermore, the Bitcoin Policy Institute has reported that PSL has organized anti-data center campaigns across at least 14 states, opposing approximately $23.6 billion in AI investments. This extensive network of opposition raises questions about the motivations behind these campaigns and the potential for foreign influence to shape public policy in the U.S.

The letter to Blanche explicitly points out the involvement of Singham and his network in influencing American AI discourse, stating, "Recent reports have also identified involvement of China-based tycoon Neville Roy Singham and his network of Marxist, communist, and socialist nonprofit organizations in influencing American AI discourse." It further emphasizes the ties of PSL to socialist governments in countries like Cuba and Venezuela, suggesting a coordinated effort to undermine the American AI supply chain.

As the U.S. grapples with the implications of AI technology and its infrastructure, the calls for investigation reflect a growing concern among lawmakers about the potential for foreign adversaries to exploit domestic opposition movements. The interplay between local activism, national policy, and international influence is increasingly complex, raising critical questions about the future of technology development in the United States.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department to inquire whether there are plans to respond to the lawmakers' request or to initiate an investigation into the alleged foreign influence. As of now, no response has been received, leaving the issue of foreign involvement in domestic data center opposition unresolved and open to further scrutiny.

The implications of this situation are significant, as the U.S. seeks to maintain its leadership in AI and technology. The intersection of national security, economic interests, and technological advancement will likely continue to be a focal point of debate among lawmakers, industry leaders, and the public as they navigate the challenges posed by both domestic opposition and foreign influence.