Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) didn’t mince words on Tuesday when she confronted former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his testimony about the COVID-19 pandemic. Greene lambasted Cuomo for his administration’s mishandling of nursing homes and the recent revelations that a Chinese spy had worked within his office.
Cuomo’s administration has long been criticized for its decision to send COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, a policy that many believe led to a higher number of deaths among the elderly. Greene seized the opportunity to question Cuomo not only about this policy but also about the arrest of his former aide Linda Sun, who has been charged with espionage on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
“Mr. Cuomo, while you were thanking China during the pandemic, you had a Chinese spy working for you,” Greene said. “Are you the dumbest tool of the Chinese government or were you aware of the spy in your administration?”
Sun, along with her husband, was arrested in early September on charges including visa fraud and money laundering. Greene’s comments focused on Cuomo’s alleged failure to properly vet his staff and prevent foreign infiltration into his administration. She connected Sun’s arrest to broader concerns about Chinese influence in American politics.
Cuomo attempted to defend himself, stating that Sun was only a “junior member” of his staff and that he had little involvement with her. Despite his downplaying of the situation, Cuomo admitted that the issue of foreign operatives in the U.S. is a serious matter that needs to be addressed by both federal and state governments.
In addition to the accusations related to Sun, Greene reminded the committee of the 13 women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. She implied that the Department of Justice helped protect Cuomo from legal consequences, adding to her sharp critique of his record.
