Two Former Senior FBI Officials Taken Into Custody on Charges of Allegedly Lying to Congress About Their Involvement in the FBI’s Investigations Into Hunter Biden

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

… 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.

Affidavit is out on the case against Nikki Cole Floris and Bradley Benavides, formerly with the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, for lying to Congress. Both claimed ignorance as to the Hunter Biden investigation and the FBI's attempt to brand coverage its incriminating contents as "Russian disinformation" a few weeks before the 2020 election. But records and testimony by other FBI employees totally contradict their sworn statements to Congress. Now they are under arrest.

— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) October 23, 2026

… contents as "Russian disinformation" a few weeks before the 2020 election.

But records and testimony by other FBI employees totally contradict their sworn statements to Congress. Now they are under arrest.


Attorney General Todd Blance

Allegedly lying to Congress on investigations regarding the 2020 election is blatant corruption and weaponization. Anyone entrusted with public office has a duty to serve with honesty and integrity including federal law enforcement officials, and those who abuse that public trust will be held accountable. No one is above the law.

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

… 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.