Arkansas Governor to Appeal Ruling Against Anti-Foreign Influence Law
Little Rock, AR — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced plans to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that has temporarily blocked the enforcement of Arkansas’s anti-foreign influence law, Act 174. This legislation, which prohibits businesses owned by foreign nationals—particularly from China—from operating crypto mines in the state, was designed to protect local interests amid rising concerns over foreign influence.
“I was proud to be the first governor in the country to kick a communist Chinese-owned company off our farmland and out of our state,” Sanders stated. “We won’t let a single court ruling deter us from being the toughest on China in the nation.” The governor vowed to collaborate with Attorney General Tim Griffin to counter the ruling and reaffirm Arkansas’s stance against foreign adversaries.
The law grants the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission authority to deny permitting for crypto mines operated by foreign entities and to investigate existing operations. The scrutiny intensified after an investigation into Jones Eagle LLC, which is linked to Qimin “Jimmy” Chen, a naturalized citizen originally from China. Following this, the Arkansas Cryptomining Association filed a lawsuit against the Oil and Gas Commission, leading to the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker, who ruled that the association is likely to prevail in arguing that the state law conflicts with federal regulations.
Sanders has vigorously pursued policies aimed at reducing Chinese ownership of agricultural and energy assets in Arkansas. Her broader legislative initiatives, labeled the “Communist China Defense” package, include prohibiting sister city partnerships with China and limiting funding to Arkansas colleges that host Confucius Institutes.
As the appeal unfolds, Sanders emphasizes her commitment to safeguarding Arkansas from foreign influences, marking a significant intersection of state sovereignty and national security in contemporary governance.
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