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DOJ Charges FBI Officials With Lying to Congress

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 10:44 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Justice Dept Charges FBI

The Justice Department charged FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides with lying to Congress.
Both testified before the Judiciary Committee in 2023, saying they knew nothing about the Hunter Biden laptop.
The complaint alleges Floris coordinated FBI responses to laptop news and communicated with the case team.
If convicted, each faces up to five years in prison; a hearing is set for Oct. 27.

Summary

DOJ Indicts Pre-Election

The Department of Justice indicted less than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm election.
DOJ guidance normally discourages actions that could influence upcoming races, making the indictment unusual.
Attorneys for Floris and Benavides said timing aims to aid President Donald Trump’s political strategy.
FBI Director Kash Patel tied the charges to the dissolved Foreign Influence Task Force investigation.
DOJ filed a preemptive lawsuit against Alaska over its Senate race results.

Summary

Justice Dept Files Complaint

The Justice Department filed a criminal complaint, bypassing a traditional indictment, to detain Floris and Benavides.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui called the charge rare and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Tuesday.
Defense lawyers argued the complaint is politically motivated and demanded a speedy hearing to contest the allegations.
Prosecutors said the complaint builds on longstanding Republican complaints about the FBI’s handling of the laptop.

History

Historical Context

Watergate began with the June 1972 break-in at the DNC headquarters, leading Judge John Sirica to issue 69 indictments—including White House counsel John Dean’s perjury conviction—and culminated in President Richard Nixon’s 1974 resignation. The DOJ’s 2024 complaint against FBI agents Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides echoes that precedent of prosecuting officials for congressional deception.

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Justice Dept Charges FBI

The Justice Department charged FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides with lying to Congress.
Both testified before the Judiciary Committee in 2023, saying they knew nothing about the Hunter Biden laptop.
The complaint alleges Floris coordinated FBI responses to laptop news and communicated with the case team.
If convicted, each faces up to five years in prison; a hearing is set for Oct. 27.

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