National security laws

Faced With Barrage of Chinese Spies, US Expands Rules for National Security Cases

Over the course of just three weeks in April, there were four cases involving Chinese espionage against the United States. And facing this threat, the United States has broadened its rules for prosecuting cases that involve national security.

A letter from Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates was allegedly circulated among federal prosecutors in March, which New York Timesclaimed to have obtained a copy of. The letter says, “All cases affecting national security, even tangentially, now require coordination and oversight in Washington.”

New York Times notes this “had always been the intention of the rule,” but the new update “made it explicit.” The letter also allegedly states, “The term ‘national security issue’ is meant to be a broad one.”