Dan Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent and popular conservative pundit, has been appointed as the FBI deputy director by President Donald Trump. This announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, where he praised Bongino’s passion and dedication to the country, labeling it "great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice." The appointment is significant as it places two staunch Trump allies at the helm of the FBI during a politically charged atmosphere, raising concerns among Democrats about the potential targeting of political adversaries.
Bongino, at 49 years old, previously served under both President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush in the Secret Service. He cultivated a reputation as a right-wing figure and became a prominent voice in the Make America Great Again movement, particularly known for disseminating misinformation regarding the 2020 election. In addition to his political commentary, Bongino has authored best-selling books and hosted various TV shows and a highly popular podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, which is one of the most listened-to podcasts on Spotify.
His career began with the New York Police Department from 1997 to 1999 before transitioning into the Secret Service. Bongino has been a fixture on Fox News for over a decade, where he hosted a Saturday night show from 2021 to 2023. He attempted to enter politics by running for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 2012 and for congressional positions in both Maryland and Florida in 2014 and 2016, though he lost all three races.
As deputy director, Bongino will serve under Kash Patel, who recently took office as the FBI director. Patel has expressed his intention to reform the bureau significantly, including relocating hundreds of employees from Washington and reinvigorating focuses on traditional crime-fighting. Typically, the deputy director is a career agent who oversees the daily law enforcement operations of the FBI, but Bongino's appointment marks a deviation from that norm due to his political affiliations and background.
In a notable interview last fall, Bongino criticized the Secret Service, calling it a "failed" agency and calling for reforms. He pointed to recent security lapses, including two assassination attempts on Trump, as evidence of the agency's shortcomings. Bongino highlighted an incident involving a man who camped outside Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach with a rifle, stating that such a breach should not have occurred, emphasizing the need for improved security measures within the agency.
Overall, Dan Bongino's appointment as FBI deputy director amidst a politically charged environment raises questions about the implications for the bureau and its operations. His close ties to Trump and history as a commentator for the right-wing movement underscore the potential shift in the FBI’s focus and approach under this new leadership.
