Thomas Weir Pauken II, a US citizen and journalist, pleads guilty to working as an agent for China, according to court documents reported by multiple outlets. The cases describe that Pauken knowingly worked with people employed by the Chinese government over a sustained period. Reports say he acted under the “direction and control” of officials linked to China’s Ministry of State Security for at least 2019, continuing until February 2026.
One report adds that the arrangement involved collecting information in the United States, including intelligence described as focused on “American targets” and American politicians, in return for payment. Another outlet emphasizes that, from at least 2019 until February this year, Pauken worked under the control of people he knew were employed by the People’s Republic of China.
The reporting across sources also states that Pauken previously lived and worked for state media in China for several years before the period covered by the court filings in the United States.
