FBI Official Behind Russia Hoax and Laptop Cover-Up Placed on Leave

Brian Auten, a senior FBI analyst with a central role in several politically charged investigations over the last decade, has been placed on administrative leave, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The New York Times reported that Auten was removed from duty last week, following growing scrutiny of his conduct in multiple controversial cases.

This might be one of the most shamelessly dishonest paragraphs ever printed in the New York Times—and that’s saying something, given the paper’s long and highly competitive track record in fake narrative creation. According to their telling, poor little Brian Auten, the innocent… pic.twitter.com/xTimCv4NmH

— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) April 13, 2025

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Auten’s suspension comes under the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel, who was appointed earlier this year.

Patel has been a vocal critic of the Bureau’s prior handling of politically sensitive investigations and has pledged a course correction at the agency.

Auten was a key figure in Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s counterintelligence investigation into alleged connections between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election.

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That investigation relied heavily on the Steele Dossier, a collection of unverified claims later discredited by multiple investigations.

BREAKING: Kash Patel has suspended and removed from HQ C.I. the FBI analyst Brian Auten who rubber-stamped the fake dossier to frame and spy on Trump adviser as a “Russian agent” & who later discounted Hunter Biden laptop evidence as Russian disinformationhttps://t.co/rTk4TNfKug

— Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) April 12, 2025

The Department of Justice Inspector General previously reported that Auten failed to inform FBI leadership about significant inaccuracies and omissions in the dossier while also pushing for the approval of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants targeting former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Auten’s actions during Crossfire Hurricane were the subject of internal reviews. Despite findings of serious errors in the FBI’s FISA applications, Auten remained in a senior analytical position within the Bureau.

In 2020, Auten again drew controversy after whistleblowers alleged he authored an internal FBI assessment that labeled material related to Hunter Biden as “Russian disinformation.”

That report reportedly contributed to a decision to halt further investigation into the Biden family’s overseas business dealings, just weeks before the presidential election.

Despite being under internal investigation for his role in the FISA matter, Auten continued to participate in sensitive FBI operations.

His name has also been linked to the FBI’s August 2022 search of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, an unprecedented action targeting a former president and active political candidate.

FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly criticized the Bureau’s prior conduct in several cases, including those involving Auten.

In his book Government Gangsters, Patel described the FBI’s handling of both the Russia investigation and the Hunter Biden laptop matter as deliberate efforts to protect political interests.

He included Auten’s name in an appendix listing individuals he alleged were involved in improper or politically motivated actions within the federal government.

During his confirmation hearing, Patel addressed the list and denied it was intended as an “enemies list.” “It’s a total mischaracterization,” Patel told senators.

“There will be no politicization at the F.B.I. There will be no retributive actions taken by any F.B.I., should I be confirmed as F.B.I. director.”

The New York Times reported that Auten and other officials had previously been disciplined for mistakes found in the FBI’s surveillance warrant applications during the Trump-Russia investigation.

The latest action to place Auten on leave follows those earlier disciplinary steps and may mark a shift in accountability within the Bureau under new leadership.

As of now, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Auten’s conduct, but investigations into the FBI’s handling of several politically sensitive cases remain ongoing.

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