In a move that has sparked significant controversy and debate, Donald Trump has appointed Dan Bongino, a right-wing commentator and former Fox News personality, as the deputy director of the FBI. Bongino, who is known for his pro-Trump rhetoric and his role in spreading conspiratorial narratives, will serve alongside Kash Patel, who was narrowly confirmed as the FBI director by the Senate. This unconventional appointment breaks with the long-standing tradition of selecting individuals with direct FBI experience for such roles, raising concerns among law enforcement and intelligence professionals.
Bongino, 50, has a career that spans law enforcement, media, and politics. He previously worked for the New York Police Department in the 1990s before joining the Secret Service, where he served on the presidential details for both Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Over the years, he transitioned into political commentary, becoming a fixture on Fox News and later hosting his own Saturday night show from 2021 to 2023. Bongino has also ventured into politics, running unsuccessful campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 2012 and for congressional seats in 2014 and 2016. His most recent success has come through his popular podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, which has garnered a massive following on platforms like Spotify.
Despite his lack of direct FBI experience, Bongino has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has played a key role in amplifying pro-Trump narratives, including unfounded claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. He has also promoted baseless conspiracy theories about the FBI, such as the suggestion that the bureau lied about its inability to identify a suspect in the placement of pipe bombs near the Democratic National Committee headquarters ahead of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Bongino has been particularly critical of the FBI’s handling of cases involving Trump, including the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property for classified documents. He has called for the termination of FBI agents and officials involved in such investigations, labeling them part of a "DOJ/FBI abomination."
Trump, in a social media post announcing Bongino’s appointment, praised him as a "man of incredible love and passion for our Country." Bongino responded by thanking Trump, as well as incoming FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressing his enthusiasm for the role. However, the appointment has been met with widespread concern within the intelligence community. Current and former FBI officials have expressed alarm over Bongino’s lack of experience and his history of promoting conspiracy theories, which they argue undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the bureau. The FBI Agents Association, a nonprofit organization representing active and retired agents, has not directly commented on Bongino’s appointment but has emphasized the importance of selecting a deputy director with operational expertise, experience, and the trust of special agents.
Bongino’s appointment comes amid a broader overhaul of the FBI under Trump’s leadership. The bureau’s former director, Christopher Wray, stepped down in December after Trump made clear his intention to remove him. Wray, who had been critical of Trump’s attacks on the FBI, said his early departure was aimed at preventing further politicization of the agency. Since then, Trump has taken steps to reshape the bureau, including forcing out several senior executives and field office heads. The new leadership, including Patel and Bongino, is set to take over from acting directors Brian Driscoll and Robert Kissane, who have led the FBI since Wray’s departure. Trump has also indicated plans to "fire some" FBI personnel involved in the investigation of the January 6 Capitol riot, a move that could further erode trust in the agency.
The implications of Bongino’s appointment are significant, both for the FBI and for the broader political landscape. Critics argue that his lack of experience and his partisan rhetoric could undermine the bureau’s independence and its ability to carry out impartial investigations. At the same time, the move reflects Trump’s efforts to consolidate control over key government institutions, particularly as he prepares for a potential second term in office. While Bongino’s appointment has been celebrated by Trump loyalists, it has raised fresh concerns about the politicization of law enforcement and the potential consequences for democracy in the United States. As the FBI faces these unprecedented challenges, the leadership of Patel and Bongino will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized by lawmakers, the media, and the public in the months to come.
