US judge tosses case against two ex-FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about Hunter Biden laptop, calling it 'weaponization'

US Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui dismissed charges against former FBI officials Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides from the bench on Monday after spending roughly an hour savaging the government's prosecution as a "rush job" directed by President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel. Faruqui concluded there was insufficient probable cause for the false statements charges and said the case could only be characterised as "weaponization" of the Justice Department.

The two ex-officials had been accused of lying to Congress about their roles in the FBI's investigation into Hunter Biden's laptop.

Federal prosecutors retain the option of seeking a grand jury indictment, but the ruling deals a significant blow to Trump's DOJ.

The judge described the prosecution as "rushed, political, and flawed" — a blistering rebuke of the Trump administration's post-election pursuit of perceived enemies inside the FBI.