
Sen. Dianne Feinstein responds to news that her longtime personal driver was a Chinese spy. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Saturday responded to the bizarre report from last week about her former personal driver who turned out to be a Chinese spy.
As TheBlaze previously reported, the FBI informed Feinstein 5 years ago that her driver was being investigated for potential espionage. The development left the longtime California senator "mortified."
Fortunately, Feinstein's office said no staffers in her California offices hold security clearances, so despite Feinstein's high-ranking position on the Senate Intelligence Committee, federal investigators do not believe the driver was able to relay sensitive information to his connections.
That staffer worked for Feinstein for 20 years, according to reports. It was unclear how long he had been providing information to the Chinese government. The staffer was never charged with a crime, but was immediately fired from his job with Feinstein's office.
She publicly responded to the news after President Donald Trump mentioned the story in a tweet. Trump questioned whether Feinstein would investigate herself since she is partially leading the congressional investigation into Russia "collusion."
In response, Feinstein instructed the president to stop "attacking" the FBI, ignoring advice from his national security team, and begin appreciating the work American law enforcement does.
(1/2) The FBI told me 5 years ago it had concerns that China was seeking to recruit an administrative member of my Calif staff (despite no access to sensitive information). I took those concerns seriously, learned the facts and made sure the employee left my office immediately. pic.twitter.com/qpVyPanpJk
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein)August 4, 2018
(2/2) Compare that to your actions: attacking the FBI and refusing the advice of your national security team. SAD! I appreciated then and now the diligent work of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies and acted in the best interests of the country. Give it a try!
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) August 4, 2018
Despite Feinstein's response, Trump again mentioned the story during a campaign rally in Ohio on Saturday. According to USA Today, Trump's comments came while discussing the trade war with China.
"Speaking of China, it just came out that the Democratic leader and the leader of the Russian investigation, Dianne Feinstein, had a Chinese spy as her driver for 20 years!" Trump said. "And she's leading the Russian investigation if that's what you call it. How about she's leading the Russia witch hunt!"