US Journalist Pleads Guilty to Acting as China’s Agent

On May 6 2026 a 50‑year‑old American journalist named Thomas Weir Pauken II pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to acting as an illegal agent for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The case is a contemporary example of efforts by the federal government to uncover and prosecute covert influence operations.

Pauken, who had lived in China since 2010, worked for state‑owned media outlets such as CCTV and Xinhua News. From at least 2019 through the first months of 2026, he collaborated with Chinese intelligence personnel, including a contact known only as “Cathy,” who provided him with tasks and paid him roughly $100,000 for reports generated on American targets.

The reports were reportedly intended for senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, and were said to persuade policy decisions. According to the Department of Justice, Pauken also collected open‑source and, in some instances, classified information from the United States and forwarded it to Beijing. His itinerary included multiple trips between China and the U.S. between 2019 and 2025 to meet with potential intelligence assets and gather data.

Federal authorities allege that Pauken’s activities violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The DOJ stated that he never registered as a foreign agent or notified the Attorney General of his work for China “to the best of our knowledge.” He faces up to 10 years in prison. A sentencing date of September 1 has been set.

Other related prosecutions underscore a broader U.S. counterintelligence crackdown. Eileen Wang, former mayor of Arcadia, California, and Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governors, have also pleaded guilty or faced mistrials for similar charges. These cases illustrate the heightened scrutiny on individuals who facilitate the flow of sensitive information to foreign governments.

Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division described the case as a stark reminder of the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine American democratic institutions and degrade political freedoms. He emphasized that “the threat to national security is real” and that the prosecution of individuals like Pauken signals the U.S. commitment to maintaining the integrity of its political system.

In a statement after the plea, Pauken’s attorney, Charles Burnham, said that his client had accepted responsibility for acting as a foreign agent. Burnham added that Pauken’s motive, as stated, was to promote religious freedom and peaceable relations with China. The defense also highlighted agreements that involved offering a $10,000 bonus for reports that could influence policy at the highest level.

The DOJ’s indictment claims that Pauken was involved in cyber‑espionage support for a group of Chinese individuals from Wuhan. This group requested advanced information on U.S. judicial and technological matters and sought assistance in locating experts to aid in cyber operations.