University Under Federal Investigation of Foreign Funding After Biohazard Smuggling Case Raises Red Flags

Two Chinese nationals tied to the University of Michigan were arrested for smuggling biohazards, prompting President Trump’s Education Department to launch an investigation into the school’s foreign funding and research ties.

Key Facts:

The Department of Education launched a probe into the University of Michigan (UM) on Tuesday.
This comes after two Chinese nationals linked to UM were arrested for smuggling biohazards into the U.S.
The Department alleges UM filed inaccurate and incomplete foreign funding disclosures.
The university has 30 days to submit tax records, foreign contracts, and personnel lists to federal investigators.
UM previously ended a Chinese partnership following suspicious student behavior near a military base.

The Rest of The Story:

The Trump administration has opened a formal investigation into the University of Michigan’s foreign ties, particularly funding and collaboration with entities that may be linked to foreign governments.

The move comes after two Chinese scholars associated with UM were charged by the Department of Justice for attempting to smuggle biological materials that could harm U.S. agriculture.

Paul Moore, Chief Investigative Counsel at the Education Department, stated, “Tens of millions of dollars in foreign funding in UM’s disclosure reports have been reported in an untimely manner… \[some funders] seem to be directly affiliated with foreign governments.”

UM must now submit detailed records of all foreign gifts and research collaborations.

The Education Department emphasized that this action aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities.

ED has opened a foreign funding investigation into the University of Michigan after reports showed inaccurate & incomplete disclosures.

This follows DOJ complaints alleging Chinese nationals smuggled hazardous biological materials, potentially for agroterrorism, into UM labs.… pic.twitter.com/YkQbU6Xf0W

— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) July 15, 2025

Commentary:

This investigation may be overdue, but it’s a step in the right direction.

When foreign nationals smuggle biohazards into U.S. labs—especially through a major research institution—it’s not just an academic concern, it’s a national security issue.

The University of Michigan’s global reputation and deep ties with foreign research institutions have gone largely unmonitored. That must change.

If one of the top public research universities in America is struggling to maintain transparency and security, what’s happening at lesser-known schools with fewer resources or scrutiny?

There are hundreds of millions of foreign dollars flowing into American universities every year, often with minimal oversight.

Many institutions categorize this funding as “nongovernmental,” even when the donors have clear links to foreign regimes. That’s misleading at best and dangerous at worst.

American taxpayers fund these schools. They deserve to know whether hostile foreign governments are quietly gaining influence in our labs, classrooms, and research teams.

The fact that Chinese students were caught lying about visiting a U.S. military base should have been a wake-up call long ago.

Moreover, the lack of clarity in foreign reporting from UM raises broader concerns.

How many other schools have similarly misclassified or failed to report overseas partnerships?

Without federal oversight, we risk turning our own universities into open doors for foreign agendas.

Foreign students bring revenue, but with them comes exposure to foreign interests.

Some may be innocent, but others could be working to further strategic goals of adversarial nations.

Transparency is not xenophobia—it’s common sense.

This isn’t about shutting doors.

It’s about knowing who’s walking through them, and why.

President Trump’s administration is right to demand answers.

The Bottom Line:

The Trump administration is investigating the University of Michigan over undisclosed and potentially dangerous foreign funding practices, prompted by the arrest of two Chinese nationals tied to biohazard smuggling.

As universities become global hubs, foreign influence—especially from adversarial governments—requires stricter oversight.

Protecting national security must take precedence over academic diplomacy.