Crime & JusticeDeveloping
Former FBI officials face new obstruction charges in case over Hunter Biden investigation
By Mantle News
Coverage spectrum
Covered by 8 outlets across the spectrum.
11 articles in total, 2 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias
Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, face new obstruction charges in a case over their congressional testimony in the Hunter Biden investigations. The new counts were filed in a superseding filing, and CBS reports it came hours before a preliminary hearing in federal court in Washington, D.C. Earlier, each was charged with lying to Congress about their roles on the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and in the Hunter Biden investigation. The testimony was given in 2023. Lawyers for the officials have called the case baseless and politically motivated, and CNBC reports they condemned the new charge as outrageous government conduct. The officials were due back in court on Tuesday.
Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works
What happened
Key points
Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.
Two former FBI officials, Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, face new obstruction charges added in a superseding filing.
Reported byLeft1Center1Right1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
- Left
- CBS News
- Center
- CNBC
- Right
- Daily Mail
- Far Right
- RedState, The Western Journal
Both officials were previously charged with lying to Congress about their roles in the Hunter Biden investigations.
Reported byLeft2Center1Right2Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
- Left
- ABC News, CBS News
- Center
- CNBC
- Right
- Daily Mail, The Washington Times
- Far Right
- RedState, The Western Journal
The charges concern sworn testimony the officials gave to Congress in 2023.
Reported byCenter1Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Center
- CNBC
- Right
- Daily Mail
The officials were due to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
Reported byLeft2Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
- Left
- ABC News, CBS News
- Right
- Daily Mail, The Washington Times
Lawyers for the officials have called the case baseless and politically motivated.
Reported byCenter1Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
- Center
- CNBC
- Right
- The Washington Times
What is contested
Where accounts differ
Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.
The two officials were part of a cover-up of a Hunter Biden corruption scandal.
Opinion pieces at Hot Air and RedState describe the officials as part of an effort to smother a corruption scandal, and the Daily Mail headline uses the term cover-up. Lawyers for the officials call the case baseless and politically motivated.
How each side tells it
Compare views
Every side present reports that two former FBI officials face new charges, added to earlier charges of lying to Congress about the Hunter Biden investigations. The main difference is emphasis: right-side headlines stress the DOJ action and call the case a cover-up, while the center headline centres defense lawyers’ objections.
the left
2 outlets
Left-side headlines are procedural, reporting that new charges were filed or that officials return to court; the AP-written ABC headline is neutral and does not add judgement.
New charges filed ex-FBI officials related to Hunter Biden probe
CBS NewsLeftAll left-leaning headlines the center
2 outlets
CNBC’s headline centres on defense lawyers’ condemnation of the new charge, quoting their words, rather than on the facts of the charge itself.
Ex-FBI official's lawyers Loaded verb“slam”“Slam” conveys strong hostility in the outlet’s own voice where “criticize” reports the same act.More neutral: criticizeDisagree with this highlight? unusual new criminal charge: 'Sensational language“Outrageous government conduct”A strong judgement that is the lawyers’ own characterization; it is attributed to them, so it is flagged as their words.More neutral: the lawyers criticized the government’s conductThese are counsel for Nikki Floris’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?'
CNBCCenterAll center headlines the right
4 outlets · 2 opinion
Right-side news headlines state the new obstruction counts, while opinion pieces at RedState and Hot Air call it a cover-up and accountability, the sharpest wording coming from the Far Right.
Trump's DOJ unveils Sensational language“bombshell”The word adds drama; the new charges can be reported without it.More neutral: newDisagree with this highlight? new charges for ex-FBI agents accused of Hunter Biden laptop 'cover-up'
Daily MailRightAll right-leaning headlines
The words they chose
Language to notice
Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.
Left2
splashypolitically charged
Center2
lashed outslam
Right8
Hunter Biden Cover-Uppoliticized operationsmotherFinally Face Accountability
In the outlets’ own words
Sensational language
splashyMore neutral: high-profile
“Splashy” adds drama to a description of prosecutorial actions that the report does not characterize that way.
…Nikki Floris and Bradley Benavides, announced Friday, is the latest in a series of splashy and politically charged investigative actions the Justice Department has undertaken…
Used byABC News (Left)
Loaded modifier
politically chargedMore neutral: investigative actions announced before the midterm elections
Labels the Justice Department’s actions as politically charged in the outlet’s own voice without supporting evidence in the text.
…Bradley Benavides, announced Friday, is the latest in a series of splashy and politically charged investigative actions the Justice Department has undertaken in the run-up to…
Used byABC News (Left)
Absolutist framing
Hunter Biden Cover-UpMore neutral: Hunter Biden matters
Presents an alleged concealment as an established cover-up before any finding of intent.
DOJ Tightens the Screws Even More on Ex-FBI Officials Over 2020 Election Hunter Biden Cover-Up
Used byRedState (Far Right)
Loaded modifier
politicized operationMore neutral: FBI operation
Labels the FBI activity as political before the allegations are resolved.
Two of the FBI agents most closely identified with the FBI’s politicized operation to smother the Hunter Biden corruption scandal are facing their first taste of…
Used byHot Air (Far Right)
Show 8 more phrasesShow fewer
Loaded verb
smotherMore neutral: handle
Ascribes a motive of suppression to the FBI, which the charges do not establish.
Two of the FBI agents most closely identified with the FBI’s politicized operation to smother the Hunter Biden corruption scandal are facing their first taste of accountability.
Used byHot Air (Far Right)
Loaded verb
Finally Face AccountabilityMore neutral: Face charges
Implies guilt before the charges have been tested in court.
FBI Agents Finally Face Accountability After Trying to Smother Hunter Biden Corruption Scandal
Used byHot Air (Far Right)
Absolutist framing
Corruption ScandalMore neutral: Hunter Biden matter
Presents allegations of corruption as an established scandal.
FBI Agents Finally Face Accountability After Trying to Smother Hunter Biden Corruption Scandal
Used byHot Air (Far Right)
Sensational language
scandal-drenchedMore neutral: Hunter Biden laptop
Adds dramatic emphasis to the laptop without a factual basis in the charges.
…officials accused of lying to Congress about their knowledge of Hunter Biden’s scandal-drenched laptop computer are now facing obstruction of justice charges.
Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)
Loaded verb
slappedMore neutral: charged
The verb implies punishment before any verdict; the event is a filing of charges.
…former FBI officials accused of orchestrating Hunter Biden's laptop 'cover-up' were slapped with bombshell new charges by President Donald Trump's Justice Department.
Used byDaily Mail (Right)
Sensational language
bombshellMore neutral: new
The word adds drama; the new charges can be reported without it.
Trump's DOJ unveils bombshell new charges for ex-FBI agents accused of Hunter Biden laptop 'cover-up'
Used byDaily Mail (Right)
Loaded verb
lashed outMore neutral: criticized
“Lashed out” adds anger to a description of a statement that was critical.
Lawyers for an ex-FBI official charged with lying to Congress lashed out at federal prosecutors in Washington for adding an "unsigned and unsworn" criminal…
Used byCNBC (Center)
Loaded verb
slamMore neutral: criticize
“Slam” conveys strong hostility in the outlet’s own voice where “criticize” reports the same act.
Ex-FBI official's lawyers slam unusual new criminal charge: 'Outrageous government conduct'
Used byCNBC (Center)
Words quoted from someone else (1)Hide the quoted words
Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.
Sensational language
QuotedOutrageous government conductMore neutral: the lawyers criticized the government’s conduct
A strong judgement that is the lawyers’ own characterization; it is attributed to them, so it is flagged as their words.
Ex-FBI official's lawyers slam unusual new criminal charge: 'Outrageous government conduct'
Quoted byCNBC (Center)
These are counsel for Nikki Floris’s words. The outlets are reporting them.
See for yourself
Side by side
What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.
From the left
2 outletsLeads with
- new charges filed
- upcoming court appearance
- charges of lying to Congress
See the 3 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
- ABC NewsLeft
FBI agents charged with lying about Hunter Biden probes accuse DOJ of 'serious abuse'
Attorneys for a former FBI agent charged with lying to Congress about the probe into Hunter Biden's laptop computer call the charges "a serious abuse."
- CBS NewsLeft
New charges filed ex-FBI officials related to Hunter Biden probe
The unsigned and unsworn superseding complaint comes just hours before the defendants are due to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C. for a preliminary hearing.
Ex-FBI officials due back in court in Hunter Biden laptop case
Two former FBI officials charged with lying to Congress about their participation in investigations involving Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, are due back in court
From the center
2 outletsLeads with
- defense lawyers’ objections
- unusual nature of the new charge
See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
Judge scolds DOJ over case against ex-FBI officials accused of false statements about Hunter Biden's laptop
A federal judge has scolded the Justice Department for its unorthodox handling of a criminal case against two former FBI officials.
- CNBCCenter
Ex-FBI official's lawyers Loaded verb“slam”“Slam” conveys strong hostility in the outlet’s own voice where “criticize” reports the same act.More neutral: criticizeDisagree with this highlight? unusual new criminal charge: 'Sensational language“Outrageous government conduct”A strong judgement that is the lawyers’ own characterization; it is attributed to them, so it is flagged as their words.More neutral: the lawyers criticized the government’s conductThese are counsel for Nikki Floris’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?'
Two ex-FBI officials were initially accused by the DOJ of lying when they testified to Congress in 2023 about their involvement in Hunter Biden investigations.
From the right
4 outlets · 2 opinionLeads with
- DOJ action against former officials
- alleged cover-up of the Hunter Biden scandal
- accountability for FBI conduct
See the 6 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
Ex-FBI officials charged in the case about Hunter Biden's laptop are due back in court
Two former FBI officials charged with lying to Congress about their participation in investigations involving Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, are due back in court Tuesday in a case their lawyers have described as baseless and politically motivated.
- Daily MailRight
Trump's DOJ unveils Sensational language“bombshell”The word adds drama; the new charges can be reported without it.More neutral: newDisagree with this highlight? new charges for ex-FBI agents accused of Hunter Biden laptop 'cover-up'
Two former FBI officials accused of orchestrating Hunter Biden's laptop 'cover-up' were Loaded verb“slapped”The verb implies punishment before any verdict; the event is a filing of charges.More neutral: chargedDisagree with this highlight? with bombshell new charges by President Donald Trump's Justice Department.
- The Western JournalFar Right
DOJ Adds Obstruction Counts for 2 Former FBI Agents Charged with Allegedly Lying About Hunter Biden Laptop
Two former FBI officials accused of lying to Congress about their knowledge of Hunter Biden’s Sensational language“scandal-drenched”Adds dramatic emphasis to the laptop without a factual basis in the charges.More neutral: Hunter Biden laptopDisagree with this highlight? laptop computer are now facing obstruction of justice charges. Former agents Nikki Floris and
- Just the NewsFar Right
FBI agents accused of making lying in Hunter Biden investigations call charges 'serious abuse'
The DOJ added an obstruction of a congressional proceeding charge against the two former FBI officials prior to a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. Both former agents deny the charges.
FBI Agents Loaded verb“Finally Face Accountability”Implies guilt before the charges have been tested in court.More neutral: Face chargesDisagree with this highlight? After Trying to Loaded verb“Smother”Ascribes a motive of suppression to the FBI, which the charges do not establish.More neutral: Hunter Biden storyDisagree with this highlight? Hunter Biden Absolutist framing“Corruption Scandal”Presents allegations of corruption as an established scandal.More neutral: Hunter Biden matterDisagree with this highlight?
Two of the FBI agents most closely identified with the FBI’s Loaded modifier“politicized operation”Labels the FBI activity as political before the allegations are resolved.More neutral: FBI operationDisagree with this highlight? to Loaded verb“smother”Ascribes a motive of suppression to the FBI, which the charges do not establish.More neutral: handleDisagree with this highlight? the Hunter Biden corruption scandal are facing their first taste of accountability.
DOJ Tightens the Screws Even More on Ex-FBI Officials Over 2020 Election Absolutist framing“Hunter Biden Cover-Up”Presents an alleged concealment as an established cover-up before any finding of intent.More neutral: Hunter Biden mattersDisagree with this highlight?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has added an obstruction charge to the case against two former senior FBI officials already accused of lying to Congress about their involvement in investigations related to Hunter Biden.
Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?
The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.
Who reported it when
How the coverage built up
Left
First to report
ABC News, Oct 27, 2:52 AM EDT
Center
8 hr 28 min later
Its first report, Oct 27, 11:19 AM EDT
Right
5 hr 55 min later
Its first report, Oct 27, 8:47 AM EDT
See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
- ABC NewsLeftOct 27, 2:52 AM EDT
- The Western JournalFar RightOct 27, 8:47 AM EDT
- CBS NewsLeftOct 27, 9:25 AM EDT
- Daily MailRightOct 27, 10:56 AM EDT
- The Washington TimesRightOct 27, 11:10 AM EDT
- CNBCCenterOct 27, 11:19 AM EDT
- PBS NewsHourCenterOct 27, 1:34 PM EDT
Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.
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