Congressman Mike Gallagher, the China hawk who this month led a headline-grabbing charge to pass a bill banning TikTok, is taking a job with major defense tech contractor Palantir, multiple people familiar with the matter told Forbes.
The Republican from Wisconsin, who chairs the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, announced earlier Friday that he would be leaving Congress early, further thinning the Republicans House majority. A Puck News reporter posted on X earlier Friday that Gallagher had been telling people he planned to take a role at the tech giant.
It is unclear what Gallagher’s title will be at the company, or what his role will entail. The move is a major coup for Palantir, which has been tightening its relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense as its focus on Taiwan increases.
Representatives for Palantir and Rep. Gallagher did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Gallagher’s new position at Palantir could signal an increased focus by the company on issues relating to U.S. and China tensions, particularly around Taiwan. Earlier this month, Forbes reported that Gallagher sent a letter to Elon Musk and SpaceX stating that the CCP Committee had learned that SpaceX was possibly withholding access of its military-focused satellite services StarShield to U.S. military personnel in the country. SpaceX responded that the committee was misinformed.
Gallagher has worked closely with another China hawk, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission commissioner, Jacob Helberg in recent months as part of an effort to build bipartisan support for a bill banning TikTok from operating in the U.S. while under Chinese ownership. In August, Helberg took a role at Palantir, serving as a senior policy advisor to CEO Alex Karp. Helberg declined to comment.
Last week, Gallagher introduced a bill to ban social media apps more than 20% owned by entities in an adversary country, such as China or North Korea, with TikTok the namechecked and most prominent such example. Committee aides claimed the legislation’s narrow focus on foreign corporate ownership would allay previous free speech concerns about a TikTok ban.
Gallagher’s new position at Palantir could signal an increased focus by the company on issues relating to US and China tensions, particularly around Taiwan. Earlier this month, Forbes reported that Gallagher sent a letter to Elon Musk and SpaceX stating that the CCP Committee had learned that SpaceX was possibly withholding access of its military-focused satellite services StarShield to US military personnel in the country. SpaceX responded that the Committee was misinformed.
