Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnoff has been taken back into custody just two days after a judge initially approved his release. Smirnoff was arrested last week on charges of fabricating a story about Hunter and Joe Biden accepting Ukrainian bribes, adding a new layer to an unfolding narrative.
Smirnoff, who is accused of concocting a tale involving $5 million bribes to each Biden from Ukrainians, is considered a flight risk by the special counsel, leading to the decision to detain him. The government argued that Smirnoff has significant financial resources and intended to flee the country soon after his initial arrest.
Despite a magistrate judge in Nevada ruling in favor of releasing Smirnoff with a GPS monitor, prosecutors sought a different outcome in California, where the criminal charges were filed. A judge in California, appointed by George W. Bush, agreed with the prosecution's stance and ordered Smirnoff's re-arrest while he was at his lawyer's office for a meeting.
Following the re-arrest, Smirnoff's legal team emphasized that his presence at his attorney's office contradicted the notion that he posed a flight risk and highlighted concerns regarding his Sixth Amendment rights being compromised.
Politically, the arrest and charges against Smirnoff have sparked differing opinions. Democrats suggest that these developments weaken the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden, while Republicans hold a contrasting view. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden, who is facing federal criminal charges in California related to taxes and in Delaware linked to a gun purchase, is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill next week.
