US Journalist Arrested for Acting as Chinese Agent, Allegedly Wrote Reports for Xi Jinping

According to the Central News Agency, US journalist and political commentator Thomas Pauken II has been arrested on charges of acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government. An FBI affidavit alleges that Pauken wrote classified reports intended for Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is also accused of facilitating contacts with US government officials and providing information to Chinese handlers. Pauken was arrested in February and remains in custody. A plea hearing is scheduled for the 29th, suggesting a potential plea deal. His defense attorney argues that he was not involved in espionage but rather failed to register for professional work. Pauken is the son of a Republican politician and has authored books on China.