A U.S. journalist was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison for acting as an agent of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) while based in the country. Thomas Pauken II, 51, also received three years of supervised release and is barred from overseas travel during that period, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Pauken, who used the alias Tom McGregor, was arrested in February upon arriving in Washington, D.C., from China. Prosecutors allege he attempted to recruit a person seeking a job in the Trump administration, offering a $10,000 bribe and a SIM card in exchange for reports to be sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pauken pleaded guilty in June to acting as an illegal foreign agent without notifying the attorney general, as required under federal law.
The FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division stated Pauken operated under the direction of MSS operatives from at least 2019 until February 2026, recruiting potential intelligence assets and sending reports to his handlers. Court records indicate he received at least $100,000 over seven years and made six trips to the U.S. during that time, meeting individuals who could provide information to Chinese intelligence.
Background and Motivations
Pauken moved to China around 2010 and worked for multiple Chinese state media organizations, including China Central Television (CCTV) and its overseas division, CGTN. His father, Thomas Pauken, chaired the Texas Republican Party in the 1990s and later ran for governor. Pauken’s attorney, Charles Burnham, argued his client was not motivated by money but sought a "clean slate" in China after a difficult childhood. Burnham stated Pauken believed in improving U.S.-China relations and was exploited by Chinese intelligence officers.
Prosecutors countered that Pauken’s actions were driven by financial gain and prestige. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Ross described the case as "emblematic" of Chinese espionage, noting Pauken deleted communication records to evade detection and continued working for Chinese authorities despite a 2025 FBI warning. Pauken acknowledged in court that he disclosed U.S. secrets to China and expressed remorse during his sentencing hearing.
Legal and National Security Implications
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated Pauken "betrayed his country for money" and exploited his U.S. citizenship to travel freely. The Justice Department emphasized the case highlights the threats posed by foreign intelligence operations targeting U.S. democratic institutions. The FBI’s Roman Rozhavsky described Pauken’s actions as an attempt to "infiltrate U.S. political circles" and recruit new assets for Chinese intelligence.
Pauken’s sentencing follows a broader U.S. crackdown on foreign influence operations, particularly those linked to China. Federal authorities have increasingly scrutinized individuals with access to sensitive information who maintain ties to foreign governments without proper disclosure.
Pauken’s Career and Public Profile
Before his arrest, Pauken authored the 2019 book U.S. vs. China: From Trade War to Reciprocal Deal, which advocated for a "neutral and balanced perspective" on U.S.-China trade relations. His work for Chinese state media and public commentary on U.S. politics drew attention in both countries, though his recent activities were conducted in secret.
The case remains under review as part of ongoing efforts to address foreign espionage within the U.S., with authorities warning that similar prosecutions may follow.