DJI, a Chinese drone manufacturer, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense, seeking to overturn its designation as a “military company.” Filed in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit names Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Defense Secretary Laura Taylor-Kale. DJI is disputing the Pentagon’s classification, insisting that its drones are used for consumer and commercial purposes, with no connection to the Chinese military.
Loretta Lynch, the former U.S. Attorney General under President Obama, has joined DJI’s legal team. Her involvement has caused controversy, particularly among Republican lawmakers. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) expressed strong disapproval, calling it “disgraceful” for a former U.S. official to support a Chinese company that has been flagged as a security risk. Stefanik emphasized that American officials should focus on protecting national security instead of representing foreign companies.
DJI claims that the Pentagon has not provided a clear explanation for its classification and has ignored attempts by the company to engage in discussions for over a year. In response, DJI decided to file a lawsuit to challenge the designation, which it claims is damaging its business.
At the same time, Congress is considering a bill that would ban the import of DJI drones into the U.S. due to national security concerns. The House has already passed the bill, and it now awaits further action in the Senate.
