Chinese American woman released by Taliban thanks Trump
Faye Hall, a Chinese American citizen detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February, has been released.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #51
A Chinese American Trump advisor becomes the latest target of a conspiracy theory over a leaked military group chat. A tenured Indiana professor vanishes after FBI raids. And in Texas, Asian American groups fight back against a new wave of anti-China property bills.
Also: a Chinese American woman thanks Trump after her release from Taliban custody, Alysa Liu caps off a legendary comeback, and a viral dating scandal hits Kim Soo-hyun.
Right-wing conspiracy theory shifts blame to Chinese American Trump advisor for leaked Signal group chat
Following the recent revelation that senior Trump administration officials inadvertently shared sensitive military plans in a Signal group chat that included a journalist, far-right activist Laura Loomer has propagated a conspiracy theory suggesting a "China link" to the incident.
Loomer, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, took to social media to direct her claims primarily at U.S. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Alex Wong, a vocal Taiwan supporter and China hawk who previously worked for Trump in his first term and also served as a foreign policy advisor for Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). She focused heavily on Alex’s Chinese heritage and the professional background of his wife, Candice.
Unsubstantiated claims
Loomer mainly pointed out that Candice is of Chinese descent and previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney involved in prosecuting individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. She further detailed Mrs. Wong's past roles under the Obama and Biden administrations and her clerkship for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, implying these associations were suspect.
The 31-year-old also highlighted Candice's parents, Meiling Fang and Ya-Hui Chui, who previously worked in Hong Kong. Loomer specifically alleged that Fang's former role as a senior manager at AsiaSat created "direct ties to the Communist Party of China & the People’s Liberation Army of China," claiming AsiaSat is "essentially partially owned by the CCP."
Loomer also connected Alex to the law firm Covington & Burling, noting that President Trump had previously taken action against the firm, accusing it of involvement in the "weaponization of government." Despite these assertions, Loomer has provided no concrete evidence to support her theory linking the Wongs or alleged Chinese influence to the Signal leak.
Breach of sensitive military plans
The controversy, dubbed "Signalgate," erupted when Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, disclosed he was accidentally added to a Signal chat group by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The group included 18 other senior officials, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, who discussed operational details, including timetables and weapons systems, for upcoming US strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The leak prompted shock and calls for investigation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling it "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence I have read about in a very, very long time."
Blame game
The Trump administration has largely sought to downplay the incident, stating no classified information was shared and defending the successful execution of the Houthi strike, while several officials involved have blamed Goldberg and The Atlantic for sensationalizing the story.
Wong, who, according to the chat, was tasked to assemble a coordination team, has remained publicly silent on the leak and the subsequent conspiracy theories targeting him. However, while Loomer pushes her narrative, other far-right conspiracies have similarly targeted Wong based on his ethnicity, alleging he could be an agent of the Chinese government. Prominent White House allies have reportedly come to Wong's defense against these unsubstantiated allegations.
Loomer’s history of conspiracy theories
This incident is not the first time Loomer has disseminated controversial and unfounded claims. She has previously promoted the baseless idea that the 9/11 attacks were an "inside job" by the US government. According to some Trump advisers cited by CNN, Loomer was also the source of unfounded theories questioning Kamala Harris's ethnicity and claims, later repeated by Trump, that undocumented Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Ohio. She has also faced scrutiny for accusing George Soros's son of sending messages calling for Trump's assassination and, more recently, for accusing Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of assault.
Chinese professor fired from Florida college under “countries of concern” law
A Chinese asylum seeker teaching at New College of Florida was abruptly terminated under a controversial state law banning universities from hiring individuals from “countries of concern,” sparking fresh debate over academic freedom in the state.
What happened: Kevin Wang, who taught Chinese language and culture at the Sarasota institution since mid-2023, received termination papers on March 12 following an internal payroll review that flagged potential violations of Florida’s SB 846. The law, which took effect just weeks before Wang’s hiring, restricts state universities from employing individuals from nations such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. College officials acknowledged no professional misconduct in their dismissal documents but cited Wang’s immigration status as the sole reason for termination. Wang’s institutional access was immediately revoked, forcing him to notify students of his departure through personal channels.
What he’s saying: Wang described his dismissal as eerily reminiscent of the persecution he faced in his homeland before seeking refuge in the U.S. He fled China in 2022 after facing repercussions for criticizing the Chinese Communist Party. “I never expected to face such a distressing experience after escaping persecution from the CCP in China,” he told Suncoast Searchlight. He now plans to leave Florida but will remain in the country amid his asylum proceedings.
The big picture: Wang’s dismissal comes amid Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ongoing transformation of New College from a progressive liberal arts school to a more conservative institution. Legal experts question whether the state’s crackdown complies with federal protections. SB 846 has been challenged in federal court, with plaintiffs comparing it to the notorious 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. Last week, the part of the law restricting the employment of students from the blacklisted countries in public universities unless they prove that they are not threats to national security was blocked.
Indiana University cybersecurity professor goes silent after FBI raids
A tenured computer science professor at Indiana University (IU) has reportedly gone incommunicado after FBI agents raided his homes and his employer erased his faculty profile, raising concerns on his whereabouts.
What happened: The FBI searched XiaoFeng Wang’s and his wife Nianli Ma’s properties in Bloomington and Carmel, Indiana, on Friday, removing boxes of evidence. Carmel neighbors reportedly witnessed agents announcing their presence via megaphone and confiscating a phone from a woman at the residence. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the raids but provided no details on the investigation. IU, for its part, swiftly removed Wang and Ma’s online faculty profiles, erasing nearly all traces of their employment.
About Wang: Wang is a prominent Chinese-born cybersecurity expert who has secured nearly $23 million in research grants and led IU’s Center for Security and Privacy in Informatics, Computing and Engineering. He reportedly planned to join a university in Singapore this summer. While IU, where Wang worked 21 years, initially investigated him over a grant application and his curriculum vitae, national security experts speculate the FBI’s involvement could point to concerns over espionage or insider risk. However, no charges have been filed as of press time.
Reactions: Wang’s case highlights the renewed scrutiny of Chinese scientists in the U.S., reminiscent of the first Trump administration’s China Initiative. His alleged firing without a hearing has sparked backlash from IU’s faculty union, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). “Silence fuels suspicion and distrust,” the AAUP wrote, criticizing IU for purportedly bypassing its own tenure termination policies. Meanwhile, others expressed alarm over Wang’s lack of communication, with one cryptography professor from Johns Hopkins University writing, “None of this is in any way normal.”
Asian Americans mobilize against Texas’ anti-China land bills
Asian American communities across Texas rallied against two controversial bills that would restrict property ownership by citizens from China and other countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests, with protests held in three major cities over the weekend.
About the bills: Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) and House Bill 17 (HB 17) seek to restrict property ownership by individuals and entities from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. SB 17 passed the Senate on March 19 with a 24-7 vote and now awaits House consideration. While supporters argue the bills protect Texas from hostile nations, critics believe they primarily target Chinese ownership, which has already significantly declined in recent years. Similar bills have been introduced previously.
How they mobilized: Protest rallies organized by United Chinese Americans (UCA) and the Texas Multicultural Advocacy Coalition were held on Saturday and Sunday in Austin, Dallas and Houston. “The Texas Senate listened to our community’s repeated pleas for fairness and respect, and instead they gave us more discrimination,” said Rep. Gene Wu, chair of Texas House Democratic Caucus, adding that SB 17 puts Texas “even closer to repeating the forced internment of Asian Americans 80 years ago.”
Why this matters: Since 2021, 42 states and Congress have introduced a total of 372 bills that restrict property ownership by foreign entities, according to Chinese American civic group the Committee of 100. Of these bills, 236 include provisions involving Chinese citizens, with 18 “explicitly and singly” targeting China and Chinese citizens. In Texas, SB 17 and HB 17 resurrect fears of land laws the state had already abolished in 1965. A coalition of Texas and national AAPI organizations called them “unconstitutional and discriminatory, as they target individuals based on their nation of origin.”
Chinese American woman released by Taliban thanks Trump
Faye Hall, a Chinese American citizen detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February, has expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump for her recent release. She was freed on Thursday following a court order and with logistical support from Qatar, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Circumstances of her arrest
Despite the Taliban government being unrecognized by the U.S. and most other nations, countries like China, Russia and Turkey have maintained diplomatic relations in Kabul. Qatar, which facilitates diplomatic communication between the U.S. and the Taliban, played a key role in securing Hall’s release.
Hall was arrested on Feb. 1 while traveling in Bamiyan province with British citizens Peter and Barbie Reynolds and their Afghan translator. Although the Taliban has not provided an official reason for her detention, reports suggest Hall may have been accused of operating a drone without authorization.
Diplomatic efforts lead to release
After negotiations between the U.S. and Qatar, Hall was transferred to the Qatari Embassy in Kabul, where she underwent medical evaluations and was confirmed to be in good health. Arrangements are being made for her return to the U.S.
Former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, who was involved in the efforts to secure Hall’s release, confirmed the news in a social media post. "American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home," he wrote.
Khalilzad shared a video that he said showed Faye Hall expressing her gratitude for her release from Taliban custody. In the video, Hall professed support for Trump and thanked him directly for securing her freedom.
“I’ve never been so proud to be an American citizen."
Trump reposted the video on his Truth Social account on Saturday, expressing his appreciation for Hall's kind words. In his caption, Trump wrote, "Thank you, Faye – so honored by your words!"
Hall, who appeared to be in good health, said in the video: "Thank you for bringing me home. I’ve never been so proud to be an American citizen." She also took the opportunity to raise awareness about Afghan women still imprisoned by the Taliban. "They always ask me, 'When is Trump coming?' They truly treat you like their savior. They're waiting for you to come and set them free," Hall added.
Other American detainees freed
Earlier in 2024, American detainees Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released in exchange for an Afghan fighter convicted of narco-terrorism. More recently, U.S. citizen George Glezmann was also released in a deal brokered by Qatar.
The Reynolds couple, however, remains in custody, and their daughter has made public appeals for their release, citing concerns for her father's health.
Police claim Florida’s Coral Gables is a hot spot for Chinese migrant smuggling
Coral Gables, a wealthy South Florida enclave, has seen a surge in Chinese migrants arriving by boat, reflecting a 78% increase in encounters statewide from 406 in 2020 to 723 in 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Migrants intercepted: In January, police intercepted over 30 migrants packed into a U-Haul and a Toyota after a resident reported suspicious activity. “We do believe these individuals were brought here by the water,” said Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr.
Strategic smuggling routes: Former Green Beret Eric Brown, now CEO of Imperio Consulting, points to geography as a key factor. “With Cuba just 90 miles away, it just makes sense,” he said, noting smugglers use established routes through South and Central America. Brown also called for tighter security measures, stating, “There needs to be better discussion between the state and national levels about sharing resources.”
Law enforcement response: The authorities note that recent arrests of suspected smugglers from Cuba and Puerto Rico highlight the international networks behind these operations. Hudak credited vigilant residents for aiding law enforcement, noting that without better coordination and technology, smuggling into Florida’s coastal cities will continue to rise.
Jury finds Oregon trooper’s fatal shooting of Asian man justified
A Marion County grand jury unanimously found Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper Justin Oxenrider justified in the Feb. 27 fatal shooting of 22-year-old Matthew Wong near a Salem National Guard facility.
What happened
Oxenrider responded to a report that Wong had handed a guard a threatening note that offered two choices. The first demanded the guard to surrender, “lay down all your arms” and “put every arm” in a jeep. It also said “drive it out” and “leave keys in ignition.” The second, on the other hand, warned, “I kill everybody at this base. I’ll give you 10 mins to decide.”
Oxenrider, a 19-year OSP veteran, knew Wong had an active arrest warrant for unlawful weapon use and had pulled a knife on troopers during a March 2024 encounter at the same location. Bodycam footage showed Oxenrider approaching Wong, who refused commands to remove his hands from his pockets. After Wong pulled a knife, Oxenrider fired his Taser twice — missing both times — before a physical struggle ensued. Oxenrider then shot Wong twice as Wong turned away in an “aggressive manner,” striking him in the back and arm. Wong died at the scene.
How the jury decided: The grand jury reviewed testimony from a police use-of-force expert on reaction times and concluded Oxenrider had exhausted alternatives, including verbal commands and less-lethal force. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson said in a statement, “Senior Trooper Oxenrider was faced with an untenable situation not of his own creation. I know that no one wanted this outcome on that day.” The jury was not told about Wong’s 2024 incident, where troopers nearly used deadly force after he threatened them with a knife. Oxenrider, who was also cleared in a 2013 fatal shooting, remains on duty.
The big picture: The case mirrors national debates over police use of force during mental health crises, akin to the 2020 Pennsylvania shooting of Christian Hall, who was killed with his hands raised during a crisis. Clarkson acknowledged Wong’s “mental health struggles” as a tragic factor, highlighting systemic gaps in crisis response. The incident underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when encountering armed individuals in mental distress, where de-escalation efforts can quickly turn lethal.
Alysa Liu caps remarkable comeback with World Figure Skating Gold
Alysa Liu, the former teenage prodigy who stepped away from competitive figure skating three years ago, completed an improbable and stunning return to the sport's summit Friday night, capturing the women's gold medal at the World Figure Skating Championships in Boston. The 19-year-old East Bay native delivered a captivating free skate performance at TD Garden, becoming the first American woman to claim the world title since 2005, ending a 19-year drought for U.S. women's skating.
Path back from retirement
Having won U.S. titles at ages 13 and 14, Liu retired at 16 after the 2022 Beijing Olympics and World Championships, citing burnout from the pressures of elite competition despite. She decided to return after rediscovering her passion for skating during a hike with friends in late 2023.
She contacted her former coaches, Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali with an initial plan focused on gradually regaining form, with modest expectations for this season. "Top 10 I would have been happy," DiGuglielmo admitted post-victory. "A medal would have been good but first?"
Golden free skate sealed victory
Skating to Donna Summer during Friday's free skate, Liu embraced a program designed by Scali to reflect her rediscovered joy and love for dance. Wearing a sparkling gold dress, she performed with an infectious energy that captivated the Boston crowd. Achieving a final score of 222.97, she overtook Japan's Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba for the title. When asked her feelings immediately after clinching gold, Liu expressed her disbelief: "Just what the hell?”
Inspiring hometown pride
Liu's triumph provides a significant boost for U.S. women's figure skating less than a year before the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Back in the Bay Area, the skating community celebrated her success. "It was unbelievable really being there live and to watch our hometown girl Alysa Liu skate so well," said 2014 U.S. Olympian Polina Edmunds Best. Sarah Feldman, founder of the Silicon Valley Ice Skating Association, added, "Showing the world what she can do and being such an amazing example to those of us in the Bay Area, I think we all really look up to her."
Her journey from retirement to world champion resonates deeply, particularly in her home region. "To see her go from being this young upstart to now world champion is just such a thrill for the community here," commented Jean Teng, vice president of the Skating Club of San Francisco.
Min Woo Lee sets Houston Open record, makes history with 1st PGA Tour title
Australia's Min Woo Lee secured his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Texas Children's Houston Open, etching his name into the tournament's 77-year history with a record-breaking score. Lee finished at 20-under 260 at Memorial Park Golf Course, the lowest total ever recorded at the event, narrowly edging out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland by a single stroke.
Exhausted and proud: The win marks a significant milestone for the 26-year-old Perth native, who joins his sister, LPGA star Minjee Lee, as part of only the third brother-sister duo to achieve victories on both the PGA and LPGA Tours. Reflecting on the intense final round pressure, Lee acknowledged the difficulty, stating, "It’s hard, it’s really hard. Scottie is obviously a wonderful golfer, he always keeps you on your toes. This is my first time in front trying to hold a lead." Despite the challenges, Lee expressed immense satisfaction: "I am very exhausted. I am so proud of how I handled myself."
Path to victory: Sunday's final round where Lee began with a four-shot lead was fraught with tension. Competitors mounted furious charges, with both Woodland and Sami Valimaki tying the course record with rounds of 62, and Scheffler firing a 63. Lee maintained composure until the par-5 16th hole, where a wayward drive found water, resulting in a bogey that slashed his lead to just one stroke as Scheffler birdied simultaneously.
Sealing the historic win: "To be honest, I played unbelievable up until that bogey," Lee admitted. Facing immense pressure, Lee steadied himself, securing crucial pars on the final two holes. His approach shot on the 18th settled on the fringe, over 50 feet from the hole, but he adeptly used his putter – the "reliable choice," as he called it – to lag the ball to within 8 inches, completing the victory after what he described as "a very mentally grinding day."
Tearful Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence amid underage dating scandal
South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun denied allegations of dating the late Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor and announced a lawsuit against her family and a YouTube channel in an emotional press conference on Monday.
Catch up: The controversy dates back to March 10 when YouTube channel Hoverlab and Sae-ron’s family accused Soo-hyun of dating her from 2015 — when she was 15 — until 2021. The family released alleged KakaoTalk messages and photos, while Hoverlab claimed Soo-hyun’s agency pressured Sae-ron financially after her 2022 DUI accident. Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, has denied the claims, but public backlash has intensified after Sae-ron died by suicide on Feb. 16.
What he said: At the press conference, Soo-hyun, who was speaking for the first time since the scandal broke out, tearfully admitted to engaging in a one-year relationship with Sae-ron five years ago but insisted it began after she turned 18. “It is not true that I dated her when she was underage,” he said, calling the evidence “fake” and “edited.” He also denied financial coercion, stating they had already broken up by her DUI incident. “I accept responsibility for what I have done and will take any criticism for it,” he added. “But I cannot take responsibility for something I did not do.”
What’s next: The Seoul Central District Court is expected to review the 12 billion won ($8.14 million) defamation suit filed by Soo-hyun against Sae-ron’s family, Hoverlab and an individual claiming to be Sae-ron’s aunt. “If their evidence is truly genuine, I urge them to submit all materials to the authorities and have them verified through legal procedures,” said Soo-hyun, who has lost projects and brand partnerships amid the controversy.
Sandra Oh softens stance on potential “Grey’s Anatomy” return
After years of firmly ruling out a return to “Grey’s Anatomy,” Sandra Oh is now expressing a more nuanced perspective on reprising her role as Cristina Yang. “For the longest time, it has always been a hard no,” she told Entertainment Weekly, but added, “I don't feel the need to revisit, but I also profoundly understand the audience's love for this character.” Oh, who left the series in 2014, took her departure seriously, emphasizing that she had “done as much as I could” with the role. Still, she acknowledges Cristina’s continued impact, especially among younger fans who credit the character with inspiring them to pursue medicine. “When there is a 15-year-old girl… who then comes to me and is like, ‘I’m in medical school because of Cristina,’ I love it,” she shared. While “Grey’s Anatomy” has kept Cristina’s presence alive through letters and texts — an approach Oh supports — her shift from an absolute “no” to “hmmm” leaves the door open, however slightly, for a possible return.
Popular Vietnamese American drag queen announces engagement with Instagram reveal
Vietnamese American drag star Plastique Tiara, whose real name is Duc Tran Nguyen, is officially engaged, sharing the news with fans through a series of dreamy Instagram photos. The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum, 27, showcased a stunning baguette-cut diamond engagement ring in the post, captioning it, “Baby boy, this is serious.” Known for her polished performances and striking beauty, the Ho Chi Minh City-born performer first gained widespread recognition on “Drag Race” Season 11 before returning for All Stars Season 9. Her engagement announcement comes amid growing visibility for Asian drag artists, with “Drag Race Philippines” recently unveiling “Slaysian Royale,” an upcoming competition featuring Filipino and other Asian queens from across the franchise.