DJI, a leading Chinese drone maker, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense to challenge its designation as a “military company.” The company claims that the classification is unfair and harmful, as its drones are used only for commercial and consumer purposes. The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., names Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Defense Secretary Laura Taylor-Kale.
Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who served under President Obama, is part of the legal team representing DJI. Her involvement in the case has attracted criticism from Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who condemned Lynch for representing a company that has been labeled a potential national security threat. Stefanik has argued that American officials should be working to prevent such companies from gaining influence, not advocating for them.
The lawsuit comes after the Pentagon refused to provide a detailed explanation for DJI’s inclusion on the list of military companies. According to the lawsuit, DJI tried to engage with the Department of Defense for over 16 months but received no response, leaving the company no choice but to take legal action.
Congress is currently considering a bill to ban future imports of DJI drones into the U.S. The legislation has passed the House and is now pending in the Senate. Lawmakers have cited national security concerns over Chinese-made technology as a key reason for the proposed ban.
