A federal judge in California is set to deliberate on whether Alexander Smirnov, a former FBI informant charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden's family, should remain incarcerated while awaiting trial. Prosecutors are advocating for his detention, citing concerns that Smirnov, who has been accused of lying to the FBI in 2020 and engaging with Russian intelligence as recently as last fall, might flee the country. The indictment, led by David Weiss, which has sparked widespread discussion and analysis, does not exonerate the Bidens, with several commentators suggesting that the case's peculiarities and timing could be politically motivated to protect President Biden. Amidst this, there are contrasting opinions on the significance of Smirnov's claims to the ongoing investigation into the Biden family, with some dismissing them as irrelevant. Smirnov, who has been a trusted informant since 2010, is now accused of actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections.
Democrats have complained about Robert Hur offering commentary, but they're celebrating David Weiss doing the same thing. @AndrewCMcCarthy breaks it down @nro: David Weiss’s Very Peculiar Smirnov Indictment in the Biden Case https://t.co/n3cqOLauRa
The Smirnov Indictment Does Not Vindicate the Bidens | National Review https://t.co/XneeDhJmxg
Comer insists indicted FBI informant Smirnov's claims 'not an important part' of Biden family probe https://t.co/iXbOt9XIdu
The Smirnov indictment is highly irregular, and given that a few short months ago the same DOJ was going to give Hunter a sweetheart deal with immunity, can’t rule out the primary motive here is political protection for Joe Biden. https://t.co/eJG8L571p3
The indictment of former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov does not vindicate the Bidens in the investigation of their corrupt influence-peddling. | By @AndrewCMcCarthy https://t.co/STqzgIHCMq
A thoroughgoing demolition by @AndrewCMcCarthy @NRO: The Smirnov Indictment Does Not Vindicate the Bidens https://t.co/6bgxaaNP4r
A district judge in California suggested that an attorney for the former FBI informant accused of lying about President Biden accepting bribes was making plans to help his client flee ahead of trial. https://t.co/FU8ZUTSZoi https://t.co/pI6DgvRdoR
The Smirnov Indictment Does Not Vindicate the Bidens https://t.co/xg00gkOrUj
Smirnov: From trusted informant since 2010 to accused liar in 2024 https://t.co/z5WEQ1A53z via @reviewjournal
Prosecutors say former informant Alexander Smirnov, charged last week with lying to the FBI in 2020, “is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials” as recently as last fall. https://t.co/Q9S3RAcqj8
Must read: The Smirnov Indictment Does Not Vindicate The Bidens @AndrewCMcCarthy @NRO https://t.co/gRWIgR5YpZ
A federal judge in California will consider whether a former FBI informant charged with lying about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden's family must remain behind bars while he awaits trial. https://t.co/HFvBvX5fgg
David Weiss’s Very Peculiar Smirnov Indictment in the Biden Case https://t.co/blvm6kV9Yp
A federal judge in California will consider whether a former FBI informant charged with lying about the Bidens must remain behind bars while he awaits trial after prosecutors pushed to have him locked up over fears that he would flee the country. https://t.co/FtoiAk55X7