Federal judge dismisses case against former FBI officials over Hunter Biden probes
Judge Zia Faruqui ruled prosecutors failed to prove two ex-agents knowingly lied about their roles in investigations into the former president's son.
By Rebecca Foster ·
A federal judge in Washington dismissed a criminal case against two former senior FBI officials on Monday, ending a dispute over their involvement in investigations into Hunter Biden. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui ruled that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to show that Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides knowingly made false statements.
The decision arrived at an early stage of the legal process and criticized the Department of Justice for its handling of the matter. Faruqui described the prosecution as rushed and noted that it departed from standard procedures. He accused high-ranking officials of making critical mistakes in the investigation.
The judge used strong language during the hearing to describe the government's actions. He stated that the events could not be described as anything other than the weaponization of federal law enforcement. Faruqi also suggested that the timing of the charges was intended to influence the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
The dismissal serves as a setback for the Justice Department's efforts to investigate individuals viewed as adversaries by President Donald Trump. The ruling followed a hearing in Washington federal court the previous week. That session examined how the president has exerted control over the department during his second term.
Faruqui addressed the timing of the case directly in his remarks. He said he would not pretend he cannot read a calendar. The judge added that he would not lobotomize himself in that way, reinforcing his view that the political context of the decision was clear.
