President Donald Trump has appointed Dan Bongino as deputy director of the FBI, placing the former Secret Service agent and conservative podcast host in the bureau’s second-highest position. Bongino will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel.
Trump announced the appointment on Truth Social, describing Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.” Bongino, 50, acknowledged the appointment with a simple “Thank you Mr President” on social media and will step away from his successful daily podcast and radio show to take on the role.
Breaking Tradition
The appointment marks a significant departure from FBI norms. Traditionally, the deputy director position is filled by a career FBI agent with extensive bureau experience. With neither Bongino nor Patel having worked at the FBI before, the agency’s top two leaders now lack direct FBI experience for the first time.
As deputy director, Bongino will oversee daily FBI operations and coordinate investigations across the bureau’s 55 field offices. The position involves supervising approximately 38,000 employees and a budget exceeding $11 billion. The deputy director is often briefed on investigations early and typically knows more about specific cases than the director.
Law Enforcement Background
Bongino’s law enforcement career includes service as a New York City police officer and as a Special Service agent, where he worked on protection details for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from City University in New York and an MBA from Penn State.
After leaving government service, Bongino became a prominent conservative voice. His podcast attracts significant attention, with his Facebook posts often generating more engagement than major news networks combined. He has run unsuccessfully for Congress three times.
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Political Connections and Concerns
Critics have questioned Bongino’s appointment, citing his strong political ties to Trump and lack of FBI experience. Bongino has repeated false claims about the 2020 election and criticized the FBI’s investigation into classified documents found at Trump’s Florida home.
In 2018, Bongino characterized his media career by saying, “My life is all about owning the libs now,” reflecting his confrontational style toward political opponents. He has maintained a combative presence on social media, including ongoing disputes with critics like author Stephen King.
Addressing Impartiality Questions
On Monday’s radio show, Bongino addressed concerns about political partisanship: “We play different roles in our life, and each one requires a different skill set.” He added, “We are going to re-establish faith in this institution. The FBI belongs to the American people.”
In a recent podcast, Bongino praised Patel as the “change agent” the FBI needs and expressed hope for a “reformed FBI free of woke culture and DEI that goes out making headline, big arrests of real bad guys destroying your community.”
Support and Reactions
The appointment has drawn mixed reactions. Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl congratulated Bongino on social media: “Congratulations to my friend and great patriot Dan Bongino. The bad guys best keep their head on a swivel!”
Trump expressed confidence that Bongino, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director Patel will bring “Fairness, Justice, Law and Order” back to America. Trump also mentioned Bongino’s family, noting, “He has a great wife, Paula, and two wonderful daughters who truly love their dad.”
The FBI Agents Association, representing thousands of current and former agents, had previously indicated that Patel agreed the deputy director should come from within the FBI. The appointment comes amid tensions, following the Justice Department’s demands for names of agents who investigated the 2021 Capitol riot, which critics say threatens the FBI’s independence.
FAQs About Dan Bongino’s FBI Appointment
1. What experience does Dan Bongino have for this position? Bongino worked as a New York City police officer and as a Secret Service agent protecting Presidents Bush and Obama. He has a master’s degree in psychology and an MBA but no prior FBI experience, which is unusual for the deputy director role.
2. Does this appointment need Senate confirmation? No, unlike the FBI director position, the deputy director appointment does not require Senate approval.
3. Will Bongino continue his podcast while serving at the FBI? No. According to Trump’s announcement, Bongino will be giving up his successful podcast and radio show to serve in the FBI role.
4. What are the main concerns about this appointment? Critics point to Bongino’s lack of FBI experience, his political ties to Trump, and questions about impartiality given his past statements about “owning the libs” and claims about the 2020 election.
5. What will Bongino actually do as FBI deputy director? He will oversee daily operations, supervise 38,000 employees, coordinate investigations across 55 field offices, and manage intelligence matters. The deputy director typically has deep knowledge of specific cases.
6. How has Bongino responded to concerns about political bias? Bongino stated on his radio show: “We play different roles in our life, and each one requires a different skill set.” He promised to “re-establish faith in this institution” and emphasized that “the FBI belongs to the American people.”
