Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Sparks Outrage By Vetoing Bill To Block Chinese Land Purchases Near Military Bases

X/@TomBevanRCP

This veto had ignited quite a firestorm against Governor Katie Hobbs, followed by the veto of a bill that would have ruled the Chinese Communist Party from acquiring land to desks and offices in the state.

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Coming days of national security considerations were opened with this controversial veto, and very many started to question the governor’s motives.

With SB 1109, the Republicans’ legislature in Arizona did pass it, but the bill had died upon the veto of the governor. The Democratic governor felt the legislation “unnecessary” and “poorly written,” as described in the veto statement. She was of the opinion that federal law already tackles foreign ownership issues with respect to military installations. However, that reasoning has never been accepted by the opposition.

The backlash erupted right away on social media platforms. “She’s a national security threat. Any property deal proposed with CCP links should be blocked by Feds…forget this leftist clown,” wrote one incensed resident of Arizona. The sentiment was repeated by many others who see the veto as dangerously naive if viewed from the least perspective, if not outright treason from its worst.

Another commenter indulged in conspiracy theories. “Two things to maybe explain this insanity,” he started. “1- she’s bought by the Chinese. 2- she’s doing it because it’s what the Republicans want. Either way, it’s wrong on every level.” A somewhat blunt one said, “Of course she did. She’s a communist,” while another one demanded: “Time to do a deep investigation into her to find out what her ties to China amount to.”

Political fallout could mean even more perilous for Hobbs, who already faces a steep climb in courting Arizona’s conservatively leaning electorate. “I live in Arizona and we deserve a better Governor,” commented one resident. “Hopefully she will be voted out of office and we’ll get a Governor with some sense and integrity.” Others, it seems, are more impatient. “One Term is way too long,” said one comment.

Entering a mall venue of fascinating plots, not all attacks were centered on China alone. “Don’t give a shit if it is China or Timbuktu! No foreign nation or foreign individuals should own any type of land in the US,” one comment kicked off opposition to foreign ownership of property in American soil, especially suspicious agricultural lands and sites of sensitive nature near military installations.

Then the argument was carried over into questioning the divide of authority between federal and state governments. One stated: “Shouldn’t the federal government be doing this anyway, regardless of state efforts?”, referring to the rather complicated interaction between different levels of government on matters relating to national security. Another one tilted the argument toward diplomacy: “Should other countries follow suit and ban US from buying land in them? Reciprocity should be fair and acceptable to all.”

Behind the procedure, there are interesting proceedings, so the next steps are awaited. With 17 Republicans in the Senate against 13 Democrats, at least 20 votes would be required to override Hobbs. A piece of sharp analysis commented: “Republicans alone fall short, requiring at least 3 Democratic votes. Given party loyalty and Hobbs’ rationale…securing bipartisan support seems challenging.” This greatly decreases the likelihood of an override; however, that is not impossible should public pressure be adequate.

The hot-button topic has come about in the midst of sustained tensions between the U.S. and China, whose foreign policies and espionage activities have grown increasingly aggressive. This means Hobbs’ veto places her uniquely in opposition, as multiple states have gone ahead and barred Chinese purchases of land near military bases.

Security experts argue: if foreign adversaries reserve land a few miles from military installations, a breach of national security opens from relatively passive monitoring to outright sabotage; China has been aggressively acquiring properties of strategic importance around the globe-mostly.

With the dust settling on this, all eyes are now on whether the Arizona legislature could even muster enough votes for an override attempt, or if we’ll see any sort of federal intervention. Either way, Hobbs has ensured this is no one’s last word on foreign land ownership in Arizona-and certainly not on her political astuteness in the minds of a large number of her constituents.

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The situation is indeed fluid; however, one fact is sure: at the peak of great power competition, questions regarding who could buy what and where have moved beyond real estate to national security. And that is a test that the governor has perfectly failed for many Arizonans.