Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) is sounding the alarm about an unsettling trend of companies with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party buying up U.S. military academies, including the one attended by Donald Trump when he was a teenager.

In a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Waltz requested that the Department of Defense survey all Army, Navy, and Air Force JROTC programs held in private schools across the country to determine “whether those schools are owned by a subsidiary of a foreign company, and the name of the subsidiary and foreign company.” Waltz’s request stems from a concern that these military school acquisitions are part of China’s “Belt & Road Initiative” to assert its influence in the United States education system.

In a press release, Waltz stated:

“It’s incredibly concerning that there are American private schools owned by companies with strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party. From Florida to New York, there is clear evidence that the ownership of these schools are linked to our greatest adversary and it’s ridiculous that we are developing potential future military leaders through JROTC programs where the CCP could be shaping school curriculum and activities.”

Waltz cites two examples in his letter to Austin. The first is Florida Preparatory Academy, which is located on the state’s Space Coast and houses an Air Force ROTC program. It was purchased in 2017 by Newopen USA, a subsidiary of Newopen Group, a China-based company that on its LinkedIn page describes itself as “the most influential and valuable education group in China” and states it “manages 2 universities, 5 middle schools, 2 affiliated primary schools, 31 kindergartens.”

The other example cited in the letter is the New York Military Academy, which runs an Army JROTC program and is located a mere 6 miles away from West Point. Founded in 1889 by a Civil War veteran, the school was purchased in 2015 by the Research Center on Natural Conservation, funded by Fang Holdings Ltd and controlled by Mo Tianquan. Waltz’s letter notes, “In 2013, Mo Tianquan, was a delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body convened by the CCP as part of its broader United Front work.” Famous alumni of the New York Military Academy include Donald Trump, Francis Ford Coppola, and Stephen Sondheim.

From Florida to New York, there’s clear evidence the Chinese Communist Party’s buying up private schools just like our farmland.   

Some of the schools have JROTC programs and others are tech-focused. We must ensure our children are NOT being shaped by CCP-influenced curricula. https://t.co/yXLGTKQJ8L

— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) January 31, 2023

Waltz requested that Secretary Austin immediately investigate the school purchases and respond “in preparation for the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act.”

Through his letter, Waltz seems to be executing on a national level what several Republicans, including Ron DeSantis, are trying to do at the state level: Eliminate any influence China and the CCP have in the U.S. As we reported last month, DeSantis “addressed the recent trend of Chinese investors “gobbling up land” in the Sunshine State. He noted the Marxist, Leninist turn of Xi Jinping during his tenure as CCP President, and expressed a desire to prevent China’s purchase of both farmland and residential property.”

For his part, Waltz is determined to get answers, telling the Free Beacon:

“To the extent that those private schools have junior ROTC programs that are forming the backbone of our future leaders of our military, this is something I would hope and would expect the Defense Department would work with me to better understand.”

Secretary Austin has not yet responded to Rep. Waltz’s request.