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Trump, the FBI and an exiled Chinese businessman

Dave Lawler, author of World

Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping at Mar a Lago. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP

President Trump once raised the idea of turning a wealthy Chinese businessman living in exile in New York over to the Chinese government, the Wall Street Journal reports in a story the newspaper justifiably calls "worthy of a spy thriller."

  • The lead character: Guo Wengui, who made a fortune in real estate before fleeing China in 2014 and gaining a large following by making allegations of corruption against Chinese officials on Twitter.
  • The climactic scene: Chinese security agents reportedly visit Guo's apartment to pressure him to return to China, in violation of their visas and after being warned by the FBI. FBI agents plan to intercept and arrest them later that day at JFK airport but no decision comes from the State Dept. in time and they are allowed to board a plane back to China.
  • The twist: Trump, having received a letter from the Chinese government directly from the hand of casino magnate Steve Wynn, says in a meeting that includes Pence, Kushner and Bannon, "We need to get this criminal out of the country," referring to Guo (the Chinese government has raised various criminal allegations against Guo). The Journal notes that Wynn needs a license from the Chinese government to operate his casinos in Macau.
  • The resolution: Aides steered Trump away from the topic, while "noting Mr. Guo is a member of the president's Mar-a-Lago club."

Go deeper

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Kellyanne Conway addresses the 2020 Republican National Convention. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Kellyanne Conway has seen power exercised as a pollster, campaign manager and senior counselor to President Trump. Now that his term in office has concluded, she shared her thoughts with Axios.

Why it matters: If there's a currency in this town, it's power, so we've asked several former Washington power brokers to share their best advice as a new administration and new Congress settle in.

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Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

GOP holdouts press on with plans to crush Cheney

Screenshot of emails to a member of Congress from individuals who signed an Americans for Limited Government petition against Rep. Liz Cheney. Photo obtained by Axios

Pro-Trump holdouts in the House are forging ahead with an uphill campaign to oust Rep. Liz Cheney as head of the chamber's Republican caucus even though Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told them to back down.

Why it matters: What happens next will be a test of McCarthy's party control and the sincerity of his opposition to the movement. Cheney (R-Wyo.) is seen as a potential leadership rival to the California Republican.

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Lachlan Markay
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Democrats aim to punish House GOP for Capitol riot

Speaker Nancy Pelosi passes through a newly installed metal detector at the House floor entrance Thursday. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

House Democrats plan to take advantage of corporate efforts to cut funding for Republicans who opposed certifying the 2020 election results, with a plan to target vulnerable members in the pivotal 2022 midterms for their role in the Jan. 6 violence.

Why it matters: It's unclear whether the Democrats' strategy will manifest itself in ads or earned media in the targeted races or just be a stunt to raise money for themselves. But the Capitol violence will be central to the party's messaging as it seeks to maintain its narrow majorities in Congress.

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