# FBI agents in Hunter Biden laptop case charges dismissed

> Federal judge dismisses criminal charges against two ex-FBI agents accused of lying to Congress about Hunter Biden's laptop.
- Title: FBI agents in Hunter Biden laptop case charges dismissed
- Summary: Federal judge dismisses criminal charges against two ex-FBI agents accused of lying to Congress about Hunter Biden's laptop. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia…
- Keywords: fbi, hunter biden, congress, justice department, laptop investigation, criminal charges, magistrate judge, zia faruqui, nikki floris, bradley benavides, weaponization, president joe biden
- Source: Straight Arrow — https://san.com/cc/charges-against-fbi-agents-charged-in-hunter-biden-laptop-case-dismissed
- Published: 2026-11-02T17:00:58+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: fbi, hunter biden, congress, justice department, laptop investigation, criminal charges, magistrate judge, zia faruqui, nikki floris, bradley benavides, weaponization, president joe biden
## Charges dismissed
U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed criminal charges against two former FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about Hunter Biden’s laptop.

> What has transpired here cannot be described as anything other than weaponization
## Why charges dismissed
The judge ruled the Justice Department failed to show probable cause that the agents knowingly made false statements to Congress.
## Political timing
The charges were filed two weeks before midterm elections and began after a Trump speech.
## Procedural flaws
Prosecutors bypassed grand jury, filed amended complaint overnight without court approval.
## Laptop investigation background
The laptop became controversial in 2020 after New York Post reported it weeks before Election Day.
## Former intelligence officials
Over 50 former intelligence officers signed a letter saying the story had 'all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation'.

> all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation
## FBI verification
The FBI later verified the laptop’s authenticity and used it in gun and tax cases against Hunter Biden.
## No wrongdoing found
No wrongdoing involving Hunter Biden’s father was ever established in the investigation.
## Republican criticism
Republicans accused the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force of helping bury the laptop story.
## Legal consequences
The Justice Department could still appeal the ruling or try to get a grand jury to indict the agents.
## Community reaction
Dozens of former FBI officials attended the hearing, calling the accusations 'political theater'.

> political theater
## FBI agent testimony
An FBI agent testified the investigation began after a Trump speech and was mandated by FBI Director Kash Patel.
## Judge’s description
Faruqui described the prosecution as 'weaponization' and warned it could serve as 'marketing material for people not to join the FBI'.

> marketing material for people not to join the FBI
## Political impact
The ruling raises questions about the Justice Department’s use of criminal complaints in politically sensitive cases.
## Event date
The ruling was made on Monday, November 2, 2026.
## Key takeaway

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed criminal charges against FBI agents Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides for allegedly misleading Congress about Hunter Biden's laptop, calling the prosecution 'weaponization'.