The United States attorney general, Todd Blanche, has dismissed that the Department of Commerce has placed obstacles on investigations into a supposed smuggling ring in which Chinese citizen Alice Huang would be implicated, whom he has avoided calling a spy, and with whom Jensen Huang, the former chief executive officer of the technology giant Nvidia, would have had one of several extramarital relationships known recently.
"You assume that the Department of Justice found out that she is, in fact, a spy (...) Nobody has said that," Blanche reproached a journalist who had questioned him about the role of the Department of Commerce in the investigations related to that ring in which Alice Huang would appear, whom the department "is investigating".
In relation to the Department of Commerce, Blanche has stated that he harbors "no concern" and has emphasized that there is a "good relationship" between the two departments.
Along these lines, and answering the question raised by another reporter, the attorney general has specified that Commerce conducts its own investigation and that "it is standard for them to refer the matter or request guidance from the Department of Justice."
Even so, he has refused to offer specific information about the proceedings his department is directing, limiting himself to explaining that "it has a role in investigating whether there are chips that should not be sold, which could constitute a violation of our export laws and could be subject to civil penalties." "It also could be a crime, depending on the case," he added.
Regarding recent revelations about Jensen Huang's infidelities, Blanche has argued that "obviously it would be extremely inappropriate to comment on any investigation we have into any of those behaviors."
Trump defends Huang and raises a handover
On the other hand, United States President Donald Trump has pointed out in an interview with presenter and commentator Stephen A. Smith that the key element of all this is "whether the woman (Alice Huang) was a spy." If this were confirmed, he has considered that the former chief executive officer of Nvidia "should have" resigned, although "if the woman was not a spy, maybe it would be different."
"It is very difficult to replace it", Trump assessed, before suggesting the name of Tim Cook, who "has practically semi-retired from Apple after carrying out one of the best moves in business history". "I think Tim Cook would be an excellent candidate to lead Nvidia", he added.
As for Jesse Huang's personal situation, Trump has indicated that he has spoken with him and regretted that "he is going through hell". "What hurts him the most is the situation of his wife and his family; that is what he is really concerned about", he concluded.