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US Journalist Charged With Acting as Unregistered Agent for China
Prosecutors say he prepared reports for Chinese intelligence-linked contacts and offered $100,000 in cash and bonuses to recruit a U.S. consultant.
- Journalist Thomas Pauken II was arrested by the FBI in February 2026 and charged with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government, accused of preparing confidential reports for intelligence-linked contacts and attempting to connect them with a person seeking work in the Trump administration.
- Discovery of cash and electronic devices at Washington Dulles International Airport in December 2025 triggered the federal probe; rather than immediately arresting him, investigators instructed Pauken to continue normal operations to avoid alerting China's Ministry of State Security.
- Between 2019 and 2025, Pauken allegedly received roughly $100,000 for reports he claimed would reach Chinese President Xi Jinping; during a February hotel meeting, he offered a $10,000 bonus for weekly intelligence prosecutors say would influence policy and be read by Xi.
- Attorney Charles Burnham disputed espionage characterizations, stating Pauken is not charged with spying or mishandling classified information but rather with failing to register as a foreign agent; a pre-indictment plea hearing Friday signals ongoing negotiations.
- National security analysts contend the case exemplifies China's broader 'unrestricted warfare' strategy, with experts warning that Beijing recruits non-Chinese individuals for operations spanning espionage, political influence and technological penetration across American institutions.
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American Journalist Accused by FBI of Acting as Unregistered Chinese Agent in Alleged Influence Operation
Thomas Pauken allegedly prepared confidential reports for a Chinese intelligence-linked contact who told him the material was being passed to Chinese President Xi Jinping
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left6Leaning Right14Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Right
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Right
52% Right
L 22%
C 26%
R 52%
Factuality
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