January 1, Former FBI Brass Face Charges Over Biden Family Cover-Up

Wyatt’s Take

• Two ex-FBI officials now stand accused of lying to Congress about the Hunter Biden probe.
• The case shows how far some insiders went to shield the Biden family from scrutiny.
• Working families have waited years for accountability at the highest levels of federal law enforcement.

Two former high-ranking FBI officials were hit with criminal charges Wednesday for allegedly lying to Congress about the bureau’s handling of the Hunter Biden investigation.

The charges mark a stunning turn after years of claims that the probe was treated like any other case.

Two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Cole Floris, 46, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Bradley Benavides, 56, of Aiken, South Carolina, surrendered today on arrest warrants issued after a criminal complaint charged them with lying to Congress about their involvement in the FBI’s investigations into Hunter Biden, announced @USAttyPirro. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the since-dissolved FBI Foreign Influence Task Force. Evidence shows that Floris discussed the FBI’s investigations into Hunter Biden routinely for more than a year both within the FITF and with others in the FBI. Contrary to his assertion that he learned of the Hunter Biden laptop from Wikipedia, Benavides regularly discussed the laptop with FBI officials in the leadup to the 2020 election. https://t.co/PqXXBuuZMa

— U.S. Attorney DC (@USAO_DC) October 23, 2026

This morning, two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, surrendered on arrest warrants after being charged with lying to Congress about their roles on the Foreign Influence Task Force during the 2020 election. Floris and Benavides allegedly lied to Congress about their roles in the FBI’s Hunter Biden investigations, with one claiming they only learned about it from Wikipedia – despite evidence showing their involvement in helping shape the public narrative about Hunter Biden’s laptop right before the election. Lying to Congress by anyone strikes at the heart of our democratic system, but when senior FBI agents lie to Congress believing they are above the law, it’s time to bring the hammer of justice down on them. When senior officials entrusted with safeguarding our nation’s security choose deception over duty, they undermine the very institutions they swore to uphold. Today’s action makes clear that no one is above the law, and we will hold accountable all who obstruct the truth.

— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) October 23, 2026

Two former senior FBI officials, Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides, were taken into custody today on charges of allegedly lying to Congress about their involvement in the FBI’s investigations into Hunter Biden. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the since-dissolved FBI Foreign Influence Task Force. Floris led the FITF as a Deputy Assistant Director from mid-2019 through mid-2022. Benavides was the FITF Section Chief from mid-2019 through the 2020 election. Both testified that the FITF was not involved in the Hunter Biden investigations. Documentary evidence, contemporaneous communications, and witness accounts contradict their testimony. Floris is also on record privately claiming to be “running a shadow government” during the 2020 election in her role on the FITF. Lying to Congress by senior FBI officials strikes at the heart of our system. No one is above the law. The FBI has already dismantled the corrupt CR-15 squad that engaged in political weaponization targeting their opponents, including President Trump. Thanks to @TheJusticeDept @FBIKansasCity and @USAttyPirro. -DKP🇺🇸

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 23, 2026

“Time to bring the hammer of justice down on them,” one lawmaker said after the indictment dropped.

Prosecutors say the men gave false statements while under oath about the scope and direction of the Hunter Biden inquiry.

The case centers on how the FBI handled information that could have damaged the Biden campaign in 2020.

Critics have long argued that career officials went out of their way to slow-walk or bury leads involving the president’s son.

“The American people deserve the truth, not another round of cover stories,” the lawmaker added.

Wyatt Matters

Real justice means the same rules apply to powerful insiders as they do to regular folks back home.