FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly ordered an investigation into intelligence officials after President Trump complained about a report downplaying Chinese interference in the 2020 election. Agent Bryan Witt testified that the inquiry, viewed internally as a political 'witch hunt,' was directed by Patel under White House pressure. The case later shifted to charges against Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides for allegedly lying to Congress about the FBI's Hunter Biden investigations.
Witt stated he had never seen a case where instructions came directly from the FBI director, who he said frequently pressed for aggressive action. The hearing revealed how Trump allegedly used the bureau to target perceived enemies, including those questioning his election claims. Both defendants served on the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, which monitored foreign meddling, including Russian disinformation efforts during the 2020 campaign.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing