Brutal Truth: Two FBI Agents Charged For Lying To Congress
Two former senior FBI agents were charged on Friday with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden's laptop. Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides face criminal counts for denying they knew about the device they helped investigate. The New York Post reported that prosecutors allege they actively tried to hide their involvement from lawmakers.
The charges stem from an investigation into the now-defunct Foreign Influence Task Force. Floris served as the "functional head" of that unit while Benavides led it as a section chief. A criminal complaint filed Oct. 20 in Washington D.C. details their alleged deceptions. The Daily Caller noted that Floris denied ever discussing the president's son with her team.
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
In 2023, Floris appeared before the House Judiciary Committee regarding her awareness of the confiscated MacBook. She told the committee, "I don't have any knowledge of said laptop," according to the New York Post. Prosecutors say this claim is false because she was deeply involved in the case from the start. Evidence shows she discussed the investigation routinely for more than a year within the bureau.
Benavides told investigators he only learned about the laptop after reading a "Wikipedia article" before his testimony. The Daily Caller reported that emails prove he traded messages about the device with colleagues weeks before the election. This directly contradicts his claim that he was unaware of the FBI's possession of the computer. The Post noted he was one of four agents sent to Brussels to interview a key witness in 2019.
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
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the two ex-officials were taken into custody on Friday. He stated that Floris was "on record privately claiming to be 'running a shadow government' during the 2020 election." The New York Post revealed a declassified chat where Floris told a colleague, "I'm basically running a shadow government across the FBI." Patel said these actions strike at the heart of the American legal system.
Patel further mentioned that the FBI previously broke up the corrupt CR-15 squad. This unit allegedly engaged in political weaponization targeting opponents, including President Trump. The charges filed against Floris and Benavides are for making false statements to lawmakers. Each faces a single count under federal law for lying within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch.
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
To protect the 2020 election against foreign interference, the Foreign Influence Task Force was established. The Daily Caller reported that the bureau shut down this specific unit in February 2025. According to prosecutors, the duo demanded regular updates from the Hunter Biden case team to handle the consequences. After the story broke in October 2020, they even wrote talking points for FBI Director Chris Wray.
Floris and Benavides were "active participants in regularly classified briefings" for agents and prosecutors on the case. The New York Post stated they tried to smother the scandal by labeling it Russian disinformation. Subsequent leaks to The Washington Post contained details intended to harm the investigation further. The charges mark a significant step in holding senior officials accountable for their sworn lies.