# DOJ Uses Political Tactic to Target Trump Foes

> DOJ charges ex-FBI officials with false statements to Hunter Biden probe.
- Title: DOJ Uses Political Tactic to Target Trump Foes | Shortify
- Summary: DOJ charges ex-FBI officials with false statements to Hunter Biden probe. DOJ charged two former FBI officials with false statements to House Judiciary…
- Keywords: doj, fbi, hunter biden, james comey, espionage act, grand jury, false statements, fbi investigation, political tactic, criminal complaint, statute of limitations, federal magistrate judge
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/11/trump-doj-comey-hunter-biden-fbi-agents-grand-jury.html?via=rss
- Author: Jonathan S. Ross
- Published: 2026-11-03T20:38:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: doj, fbi, hunter biden, james comey, espionage act, grand jury, false statements, fbi investigation, political tactic, criminal complaint, statute of limitations, federal magistrate judge
## DOJ charges ex-FBI officials
The Justice Department charged Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides with false statements to the House Judiciary Committee about their involvement in Hunter Biden's FBI investigation.
## Charges dismissed by judge
A federal magistrate judge dismissed the charges on Monday, finding insufficient evidence to support probable cause.
## Unusual charging method
The government used a 27-page affidavit to obtain a criminal complaint instead of going through the grand jury process.
## Why this method?
The government likely aimed to create a public spectacle by detailing the FBI's investigation of Hunter Biden in the affidavit.
## Grand jury process
Most federal criminal cases start with a prosecutor presenting evidence to a grand jury to establish probable cause for an indictment.
## Criminal complaint process
A criminal complaint is a temporary charging document obtained by presenting a probable-cause affidavit to a federal magistrate judge.
## Complaint limitations
The complaint is valid for 30 days and requires a preliminary hearing where the defendant can challenge the evidence.
## Why charge now?
The government charged the officials to avoid a grand jury indictment that might be delayed by political considerations.
## James Comey case
On Oct. 5, prosecutors filed an information charging James Comey with violating the Espionage Act.
## Comey's legal issue
The government claimed the information prevented the statute of limitations from expiring, but the judge dismissed it.
## Political motivation
The government likely used the unusual methods to create a public narrative around Hunter Biden and James Comey.
## DOJ's role questioned
The author states the DOJ is no longer a neutral enforcer of federal law but a political tool.
## Key takeaway

DOJ charged two former FBI officials with false statements to House Judiciary Committee about Hunter Biden investigation, dismissed by judge.