The U.S. Department of Justice has charged a California resident with acting as an illegal foreign agent, alleging she conducted surveillance on the son of Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te. According to federal prosecutors, the woman allegedly captured photos and videos of the president’s son and his family, transmitting the information to Chinese government officials.

Authorities claim the defendant’s actions were part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to track individuals of interest living in the United States. The charges include acting as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General, a violation of federal law. While the investigation remains ongoing, the case highlights persistent U.S. government concerns regarding transnational repression and foreign intelligence gathering on American soil. The defendant is expected to face court proceedings in California to address the allegations of espionage and unauthorized foreign influence.