The US Justice Department has charged two former senior FBI officials with lying to Congress about their knowledge of investigations into Hunter Biden, according to court documents made public on Friday (Oct 23).Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, who each held senior counterintelligence roles at the FBI, were charged in federal court in Washington. They allegedly misled a House panel about the role of an FBI foreign influence task force in investigations into Hunter Biden, according to a criminal complaint.Floris and Benavides served in leading roles on the FBI foreign influence task force, a group aimed at combating attempts to influence US elections that was disbanded during the second Trump administration after facing criticism from Republicans. The officials briefed two Republican senators in 2020, warning them of US intelligence concerns that some allegations against Hunter Biden were part of a Russian influence operation, according to prior media reports.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/whose-cocaine-was-it-hunter-biden-sarcastic-response-to-white-house-narcotics-accusation-goes-viral-i-d-never-forget-my-drugs-joe-biden-west-wing-1780562403574">Whose cocaine was it? Hunter Biden sarcastic response to White House narcotics accusation goes viral: 'I'd never forget my drugs'</a><h2>'Politically motivated' or 'a disgrace'?</h2>Lawyers for Floris condemned the case as the latest in a string of politically motivated prosecutions by the DOJ under the Trump administration."The government's reasons for charging Nikki are as transparent as they are unjust: to push a false narrative for a shot at political points," Floris' lawyers said in a statement. A lawyer for Benavides called the charges a "disgrace" and said Benavides is a "true patriot who devoted his career to protecting this country and its people."Floris and Benavides made an initial court appearance on Friday. A federal grand jury in Washington will have to approve an indictment for the case to move forward."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," US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro wrote in a social media post.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doj-opens-criminal-probe-into-trump-ally-corey-lewandowski-as-potus-warns-dishonest-staff-have-to-be-prosecuted-1792727902674">DOJ opens criminal probe into Trump ally Corey Lewandowski as POTUS warns dishonest staff 'have to be prosecuted'</a><h2>A Trump grievance</h2>The case centres on an issue that has long been a focus of Trump and his allies: the FBI's handling of a laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden that surfaced in the weeks before the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden.The complaint alleges that Floris and Benavides lied to the House Judiciary Committee in 2023 testimony, where they each claimed little knowledge of the Hunter Biden investigation and the laptop episode. It alleges they were in contact with members of the Hunter Biden investigative team in 2020 and took part in the FBI's response to public reporting on the laptop. Benavides told the House panel he learned about the probes through searching on Wikipedia, according to the complaint.Hunter Biden was later charged with federal gun and tax-related crimes during his father's administration. Joe Biden pardoned his son shortly before leaving office.The case against Floris and Benavides does not allege the FBI suppressed the laptop story, a claim Trump and his allies have long made.Notably, the DOJ under Trump has also investigated the US intelligence community's finding that Russia sought to aid Trump's 2016 campaign and the FBI raid of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022, a probe mired in staff turmoil. The DOJ had previously also brought charges against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress about media leaks, a case later dismissed.

Two former senior FBI officials face charges for allegedly lying to Congress about Hunter Biden investigations. Their lawyers call the case politically motivated. What's happening in Washington? All you need to know,

The US Justice Department has charged two former senior FBI officials with lying to Congress about their knowledge of investigations into Hunter Biden, according to court documents made public on Friday (Oct 23). Nikki Floris, 46, and Bradley Benavides, 56, who each held senior counterintelligence roles at the FBI, were charged in federal court in Washington. They allegedly misled a House panel about the role of an FBI foreign influence task force in investigations into Hunter Biden, according to a criminal complaint. Floris and Benavides served in leading roles on the FBI foreign influence task force, a group aimed at combating attempts to influence US elections that was disbanded during the second Trump administration after facing criticism from Republicans. The officials briefed two Republican senators in 2020, warning them of US intelligence concerns that some allegations against Hunter Biden were part of a Russian influence operation, according to prior media reports. Also read | Whose cocaine was it? Hunter Biden sarcastic response to White House narcotics accusation goes viral: 'I'd never forget my drugs' 'Politically motivated' or 'a disgrace'? Lawyers for Floris condemned the case as the latest in a string of politically motivated prosecutions by the DOJ under the Trump administration. "The government's reasons for charging Nikki are as transparent as they are unjust: to push a false narrative for a shot at political points," Floris' lawyers said in a statement. A lawyer for Benavides called the charges a "disgrace" and said Benavides is a "true patriot who devoted his career to protecting this country and its people." Floris and Benavides made an initial court appearance on Friday. A federal grand jury in Washington will have to approve an indictment for the case to move forward. "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," US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro wrote in a social media post. Also read | DOJ opens criminal probe into Trump ally Corey Lewandowski as POTUS warns dishonest staff 'have to be prosecuted' A Trump grievance The case centres on an issue that has long been a focus of Trump and his allies: the FBI's handling of a laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden that surfaced in the weeks before the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. The complaint alleges that Floris and Benavides lied to the House Judiciary Committee in 2023 testimony, where they each claimed little knowledge of the Hunter Biden investigation and the laptop episode. It alleges they were in contact with members of the Hunter Biden investigative team in 2020 and took part in the FBI's response to public reporting on the laptop. Benavides told the House panel he learned about the probes through searching on Wikipedia, according to the complaint. Hunter Biden was later charged with federal gun and tax-related crimes during his father's administration. Joe Biden pardoned his son shortly before leaving office. The case against Floris and Benavides does not allege the FBI suppressed the laptop story, a claim Trump and his allies have long made. Notably, the DOJ under Trump has also investigated the US intelligence community's finding that Russia sought to aid Trump's 2016 campaign and the FBI raid of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022, a probe mired in staff turmoil. The DOJ had previously also brought charges against former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress about media leaks, a case later dismissed.

Two former senior FBI officials face charges for allegedly lying to Congress about Hunter Biden investigations. Their lawyers call the case politically motivated. What's happening in Washington? All you need to know,

US charges two former FBI officials with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden probes. 'Politically motivated' Trump grievance or something else?

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into long-time Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski, according to reports. This comes after a criminal referral from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general.When asked about the inquiry outside the White House, President Donald Trump said he wants his staff held accountable and that he had "heard something about it.""All I know is I want my people to be honest," Trump said. "If they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted... They are stealing from me. So, I want my people to be honest. And if they're not honest, I'll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-trump-demands-ilhan-omar-removal-from-congress-for-using-fake-name-to-be-sworn-in-so-what-is-her-real-name-1792721069682">WATCH: Trump demands Ilhan Omar removal from Congress for 'using fake name to be sworn in'. So what is her real name?</a><h2>Lewandowski denies wrongdoing</h2>Adam Trigg, an attorney for Lewandowski, said his client has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denies any wrongdoing. "Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity," Trigg said in a statement posted on Lewandowski's X account.Lewandowski, who served as Trump's first campaign manager in 2016 before being fired that June, later served as a senior advisor on the 2020 and 2024 campaigns. He also served as an advisor to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.After The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department was reviewing allegations of corruption and personal financial gain involving Lewandowski, he called the report "another example of the kind of anonymous-source, politically driven reporting that Americans have seen time and again," adding he was confident "the facts and not anonymous accusations will ultimately speak for themselves."<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn3.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20261023/image-1792737111693.png"></figure>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-justice-department-quietly-drops-legal-fight-to-overhaul-student-loan-forgiveness-program-1792649896547">Trump's Justice Department quietly drops legal fight to overhaul student loan forgiveness program</a><h2>Noem in the crosshairs</h2>The investigation overlaps with scrutiny of Noem on three fronts. As DHS Secretary, she required her personal written approval for all contracts and grants exceeding $100,000, and records show Lewandowski signed off on high-value spending decisions alongside her, despite serving as an unpaid, part-time "Special Government Employee."Investigators are dissecting contracts approved during her tenure, including a $220 million no-bid advertising campaign prominently featuring Noem, a $200 million contract for two private jets, and a $30 million non-competitive Palantir Technologies contract Lewandowski reportedly lobbied her to approve.Noem also faces potential perjury allegations. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, she testified under oath that Lewandowski had no role in approving contracts, but internal DHS records show his signature on spending documents, prompting Democratic lawmakers to push for an investigation.Senator Richard Blumenthal's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is running a separate inquiry, and the DHS inspector general has reported that leadership during Noem's tenure obstructed its initial investigation. Noem has admitted approving the ad contracts but maintains Trump was fully aware, a claim Trump has publicly denied.

US President Donald Trump says dishonest staff "have to be prosecuted" as the DOJ, according to reports, starts investigating his long-time ally, Corey Lewandowski. The probe is dragging Kristi Noem into the crosshairs. Here's all you need to know.

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into long-time Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski, according to reports. This comes after a criminal referral from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general. When asked about the inquiry outside the White House, President Donald Trump said he wants his staff held accountable and that he had "heard something about it." "All I know is I want my people to be honest," Trump said. "If they're not going to be honest, they have to be prosecuted... They are stealing from me. So, I want my people to be honest. And if they're not honest, I'll have my DOJ go and do whatever they have to do." Also read | WATCH: Trump demands Ilhan Omar removal from Congress for 'using fake name to be sworn in'. So what is her real name? Lewandowski denies wrongdoing Adam Trigg, an attorney for Lewandowski, said his client has not been contacted by the Justice Department and denies any wrongdoing. "Mr. Lewandowski has not been contacted by the Justice Department regarding any investigation, and he denies any wrongdoing when he was proudly serving his country in a voluntary capacity," Trigg said in a statement posted on Lewandowski's X account. Lewandowski, who served as Trump's first campaign manager in 2016 before being fired that June, later served as a senior advisor on the 2020 and 2024 campaigns. He also served as an advisor to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. After The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department was reviewing allegations of corruption and personal financial gain involving Lewandowski, he called the report "another example of the kind of anonymous-source, politically driven reporting that Americans have seen time and again," adding he was confident "the facts and not anonymous accusations will ultimately speak for themselves." Also read | Trump's Justice Department quietly drops legal fight to overhaul student loan forgiveness program Noem in the crosshairs The investigation overlaps with scrutiny of Noem on three fronts. As DHS Secretary, she required her personal written approval for all contracts and grants exceeding $100,000, and records show Lewandowski signed off on high-value spending decisions alongside her, despite serving as an unpaid, part-time "Special Government Employee." Investigators are dissecting contracts approved during her tenure, including a $220 million no-bid advertising campaign prominently featuring Noem, a $200 million contract for two private jets, and a $30 million non-competitive Palantir Technologies contract Lewandowski reportedly lobbied her to approve. Noem also faces potential perjury allegations. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, she testified under oath that Lewandowski had no role in approving contracts, but internal DHS records show his signature on spending documents, prompting Democratic lawmakers to push for an investigation. Senator Richard Blumenthal's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is running a separate inquiry, and the DHS inspector general has reported that leadership during Noem's tenure obstructed its initial investigation. Noem has admitted approving the ad contracts but maintains Trump was fully aware, a claim Trump has publicly denied.

US President Donald Trump says dishonest staff "have to be prosecuted" as the DOJ, according to reports, starts investigating his long-time ally, Corey Lewandowski. The probe is dragging Kristi Noem into the crosshairs. Here's all you need to know.

DOJ opens criminal probe into Trump ally Corey Lewandowski as POTUS warns dishonest staff 'have to be prosecuted'

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US charges two former FBI officials with lying to Congress about Hunter Biden probes. 'Politically motivated' Trump grievance or something else?

Dishonest staff 'to be prosecuted': DOJ opens probe into Trump ally Lewandowski