Republican lawmakers have asked acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate what they describe as possible foreign influence behind campaigns opposing new data centres in the United States. They argue that efforts to block the facilities could weaken America’s position in artificial intelligence and potentially benefit China or Russia.

The request was made in a letter led by Texas Representative Lance Gooden and signed by several GOP lawmakers. The article says the lawmakers allege that foreign-linked organisations and advocacy networks are involved, but the provided text does not set out evidence supporting those claims or indicate that the Justice Department has opened an investigation.