State Shield Awards Arkansas Top Marks for Defending Against Foreign Adversary Influence

Names Governor Sanders Best Governor for National Security, recognizing her leadership in advancing first-in-the-nation protections against foreign adversary influence

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - State Shield has awarded Arkansas an A+ rating in its inaugural 2025 State Shield Scorecard, recognizing the state as a national leader in protecting against foreign adversary influence, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

"Arkansas was the first state in the country to kick Communist China off our farmland and out of our state, and we didn't stop there," said Governor Sanders. "We've taken real action to protect our land, our data, and our taxpayers from hostile foreign influence. This recognition shows that strong leadership at the state level makes a real difference in keeping our people and our economy secure."

State Shield is a national initiative dedicated to helping policymakers identify and counter foreign adversary influence. Their scorecard evaluates how states are responding to modern national security threats that increasingly play out at the state level, including foreign land ownership near military installations, hostile technology and surveillance risks, covert lobbying, and exposure of public funds and data systems.

State Shield also named Governor Sanders Best Governor for National Security, recognizing her leadership in advancing first-in-the-nation protections against foreign adversary influence and strengthening Arkansas' state-level defenses.

Arkansas' top ranking reflects a series of bold policies signed into law by Governor Sanders to close loopholes and strengthen safeguards against foreign influence. Governor Sanders signed legislation establishing the strongest prohibition on foreign adversary land ownership in the nation, preventing hostile foreign governments and affiliated entities from purchasing land in Arkansas and authorizing the state to reacquire land already acquired in violation of the law.

To further protect sensitive information, the Governor issued executive action banning CCP-linked applications, technology, and promotional materials on state-issued devices, reducing the risk of data exposure and foreign surveillance within state government systems.

Governor Sanders also moved to protect Arkansas' public investments from hostile foreign influence. Last year, she signed Act 937, sponsored by Representative Howard Beaty Jr. and Senator Blake Johnson, which bars state and local governments from investing public funds in Chinese companies and requires the divestment of existing holdings tied to adversarial foreign entities. The law redirects hundreds of millions of dollars away from geopolitical adversaries while ensuring retirement systems, pension funds, and taxpayer dollars are protected through a financially prudent divestment process that puts Arkansans first over foreign governments.

The state's actions align with a broader national effort to strengthen protections against foreign adversaries. Governor Sanders has also joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, and other federal leaders in advancing a National Farm Security Action Plan to reinforce the importance of safeguarding American farmland, supply chains, and food security.

The 2025 State Shield Scorecard evaluated 11 states in its first year and will expand to additional states in future editions.

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