Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, May 26: U.S. federal authorities have charged an American journalist and political commentator, Thomas Pauken II, with allegedly acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government, in a case highlighting growing concerns over Beijing-linked influence and intelligence operations in the United States.
Pauken, who reportedly lived in China for over a decade, is accused of preparing confidential political reports for Chinese contacts believed to be linked to the Chinese government. According to court documents and an FBI affidavit cited by U.S. media, the reports were allegedly intended to be shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Federal investigators allege that Pauken maintained regular communication with Chinese handlers and sought to cultivate access to U.S. government information. Prosecutors further claim that he introduced a U.S. government employee to Chinese contacts despite believing there was an “80 percent chance” that classified information could be passed on to China.
Authorities also accused Pauken of providing the individual with a cellphone and a laptop and offering a reported payment bonus of $10,000 in exchange for weekly political reports.
Pauken was arrested in February this year, and a federal judge subsequently denied his request for pretrial release. He has denied allegations of espionage, reportedly arguing that his activities amounted to political consulting and commentary work rather than covert intelligence operations.
The charges were filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a law requiring individuals working on behalf of foreign governments in political or influence-related activities to disclose their affiliations to the U.S. government.
Pauken’s attorney has argued that his client is not accused of traditional espionage or mishandling classified information, but rather of failing to register his activities on behalf of a foreign entity as required under U.S. law.
The case carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years under a statute considered more severe than the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which mandates disclosure by individuals conducting political or influence operations on behalf of foreign governments.
Pauken is the son of prominent Republican politician Tom Pauken and previously worked for several Chinese state-controlled media outlets under the pseudonym “Tom McGregor.”
According to reports, the case emerges amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing and follows a series of recent prosecutions tied to alleged Chinese influence campaigns and espionage activities in the United States. U.S. authorities have in recent months pursued cases involving alleged Chinese “police stations” operating in New York and individuals accused of advancing pro-Beijing propaganda efforts.
