US journalist charged with acting as Chinese agent
Key takeaways
- An affidavit, dated in late February, stated Pauken II would complete tasks while in the U.S.
- The FBI s investigation reportedly began in December 2025, when Pauken entered the U.S.
- When questioned about the purpose of his trip, Pauken reportedly told agents that he was in town for a few minutes and planned to return to China in three days.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Thomas Weir Pauken II, the son of former Texas Workforce Commission Chair Thomas Pauken (R), was arrested in early March and is expected to appear in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia for a preindictment plea hearing Friday.
Pauken II is accused of working at the direction and control of individuals known to operate on behalf of the People s Republic of China (PRC) and its civilian intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), according to court documents first obtained by Politico.
An affidavit, dated in late February, stated Pauken II would complete tasks while in the U.S. for an individual known only as Cathy, which included meeting with potential human sources, providing them with devices such as cellphones and laptops and sharing reports between the two.