In the world of politics, it is not uncommon for candidates to have ties to various companies and industries. This is often seen as a way to gain expertise and experience, and to understand the inner workings of different sectors. However, when these ties are questioned, it can raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest. This is exactly what has happened with a former Biden national security adviser, who is now hoping to unseat Mike Lawler in the upcoming New York Democratic House race.
According to a recent report by The Intercept, Evelyn Farkas, who is running for the New York 17th Congressional District, has consulted for two defense tech firms that work with Palantir. This has sparked some controversy, as Palantir has been criticized for its role in providing data and technology to the US government for border surveillance. The fact that Farkas has ties to these companies has raised questions about her stance on issues such as immigration and privacy.
Farkas, who has an impressive resume in the field of national security, served as a deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia under the Obama administration. She was also a national security adviser to Joe Biden during his time as vice president. With such credentials, it is no surprise that she is now running for Congress. However, her ties to Palantir and its partners have come under scrutiny.
Palantir is a data analytics company that has been providing technology to the US government for border surveillance. The company has faced criticism for its role in the separation of families at the US-Mexico border, as well as concerns about the privacy of individuals whose data is being collected. In addition, Palantir has been accused of aiding the government in targeting and deporting immigrants.
Farkas, who has been vocal about her support for immigrants and their rights, has now come under fire for her ties to companies that work with Palantir. However, she has been quick to address these concerns and has maintained that her work with these companies was limited to providing advice on national security issues.
In a statement to The Intercept, Farkas clarified that she has never worked for Palantir directly and that her consulting work with the defense tech firms was focused on cybersecurity and counterterrorism. She also emphasized that she has been a consistent advocate for immigrant rights and has spoken out against the use of technology for surveillance purposes.
Despite the controversy surrounding her ties to Palantir and its partners, Farkas has received support from some prominent figures in the tech industry. Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, and Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, have both donated to her campaign. This suggests that Farkas is seen as a strong candidate who can bring valuable insights and expertise to Congress.
It is also worth noting that Farkas is not the only candidate in the New York 17th Congressional District race with ties to the tech industry. Her opponent, Mike Lawler, has received donations from executives at companies such as Google and Amazon. This further highlights the fact that in today’s political landscape, it is not uncommon for candidates to have connections to various industries.
In conclusion, while Farkas’ ties to companies that work with Palantir may have raised some concerns, it is important to look at the bigger picture. She has an impressive background in national security and has been a strong advocate for immigrant rights. Her work with these companies was limited to providing advice on national security issues and does not necessarily reflect her stance on controversial issues such as border surveillance. As the election draws near, it is important to focus on the candidates’ policies and plans for the future, rather than their past associations.
