FBI arrests US Army soldiers over alleged sale of national defense info to China

The FBI arrested two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers and a former soldier for allegedly selling national defense information to China.

"Jian Zhao, and Li Tian, active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier, were arrested today following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington," the Department of Justice said in a Thursday press release.

Tian and Duan face charges of bribery and theft of government property.

Zhao faces the same charges along with conspiracy to transmit national defense information to someone not authorized to have it.

“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said those charged will face "American justice."

"These individuals have been charged with stealing America’s defense intelligence capabilities and empowering adversaries like China in betrayal of our country," Patel wrote on the social media platform, X.