LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Republicans are speaking out about the lack of comments coming from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel over the multiple arrests of Chinese nationals smuggling biological goods into the U.S. that have been called a serious threat to national security.

Over the last week, three Chinese nationals with ties to the University of Michigan were charged with federal crimes. The U.S. Attorney announced Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged June 3 for trying to smuggle what it called a “dangerous biological pathogen” into the country for their work at the University of Michigan labs. On June 9, Chengxuan Han was charged with smuggling goods into the U.S. and making false statements. Han was invited as a visiting scholar at U-M and had previously mailed biological materials to the University of Michigan labs.

MORE NEWS: Jihad Declared by Michigan Imam

The two cases have made international news with organizations such as the BBC and CNN reporting on it.

Whitmer and Nessel have not released any statements. Neither has responded to an email sent by Michigan News Source.

“Gov. Whitmer and AG Nessel’s silence is deafening and unacceptable,” said State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, (R-Lawton), in an email to Michigan News Source. “We have a serious national security threat here, and their refusal to even acknowledge it is absurd. Hoping no one notices while foreign operatives exploit our state’s institutions is another example of their long history of failed leadership. They need to wake up. We must stand with President Trump to secure our nation and immediately terminate visas for anyone affiliated with the CCP to stop these dangerous activities in Michigan and America.”

Meghan Reckling, a Republican activist, was also critical of the silence coming from Whitmer and Nessel. Reckling noted that the Chinese national issues with University of Michigan include multiple incidents. There was a criminal complaint filed against Haoxiang Gao for illegally registering to vote and voting in the 2024 presidential election and then fleeing the country. In October, five Chinese nationals that were University of Michigan students were charged with espionage related charges for taking photos of military equipment at Camp Grayling, according to U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar.

“It’s extremely significant that neither Governor Whitmer nor Attorney General Nessel have publicly addressed the growing number of serious incidents involving Chinese nationals at the University of Michigan,” Recckling said in an email to Michigan News Source. “We’re talking about espionage, election interference, and now biological smuggling—this isn’t fringe conspiracy, it’s national security.”

“The cozy relationship between Governor Whitmer and the Chinese Communist Party raises serious questions—and the public deserves answers. Their refusal to speak up only leads one to wonder: what are they hiding?” Reckling said.

MORE NEWS: Capitol Panel OKs Secret Security Project, Won’t Say What It Is or What It Costs

In October 2022, Whitmer promoted the investment in the Gotion battery component manufacturer in Big Rapids. Gotion was founded in 1998 and is based in Hefei, China.

While Nessel has not published a statement on the Chinese nationals involvement with U-M, she did release a June 9 statement on President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard in California. Nessel also produced a June 9 press release about her joining a national lawsuit against the Trump administration over machine gun conversion devices.