4 hours ago
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Dan Bongino
, a former Secret Service agent turned
conservative commentator
, has been appointed as the new deputy director of the FBI by US President Donald Trump.
The announcement was made on Trump's Truth Social platform and has drawn attention due to Bongino's background in
law enforcement
and his strong political ties.
Bongino, 50, served with the New York police department before joining the Secret Service, where he worked on the protective details of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. After leaving government service, he transitioned into political commentary, becoming one of the most influential voices in right-wing media. His
podcast
, The Dan Bongino Show, regularly garners more engagement on social media than mainstream outlets like Fox News and CNN.
Trump hailed Bongino’s appointment as “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.” He praised the commentator’s dedication to the country and highlighted his willingness to step away from his highly successful podcast to take on the role. “Dan has a Masters Degree in Psychology from C.U.N.Y., and an MBA from Penn State. He was a member of the New York Police Department (New York’s Finest!), a highly respected Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, and is now one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country, something he is willing and prepared to give up in order to serve,” Trump wrote.
Bongino responded to the appointment in a post on X, saying, “Thank you Mr President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”
A loyal Trump ally
Bongino has long been a vocal supporter of Trump and a fierce critic of the president's opponents. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress three times and has been an active figure in the
Make America Great Again
(MAGA) movement. His podcast often features titles that mock liberals, such as “Trump Keeps Delivering And The Libs Are Seething.”
His appointment as
FBI deputy director
is significant as it places two Trump loyalists at the top of the agency. Kash Patel, another close ally of the president, was confirmed as FBI director last week despite opposition from two Republican senators and all Senate Democrats. Trump described Patel as “the best ever Director” and indicated that, alongside attorney general Pam Bondi, the trio would bring “Fairness, Justice, Law and Order back to America, and quickly.”
Bongino’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation, ensuring he will take up the role immediately. His new boss, Patel, has vowed to “clean up” the agency and has dismissed concerns that the administration will use the FBI to target political adversaries.
Breaking tradition
Bongino’s appointment breaks with the FBI’s long-standing tradition of having career agents serve as deputy director. Typically, the second-in-command is responsible for the bureau’s daily law enforcement operations. The FBI Agents Association had previously urged Patel to ensure that the role remained within the ranks of career FBI personnel. However, Bongino has never worked for the FBI.
Patel, who has criticised the agency’s previous investigations into Trump, has pledged to reshape the FBI by focusing on traditional crime-fighting efforts and relocating hundreds of employees from Washington. Bongino has also been an outspoken critic of federal law enforcement agencies, particularly over their handling of the 2020 election and Secret Service operations.
Beyond law enforcement
Beyond his law enforcement career, Bongino has gained a reputation as a combative political figure. He has frequently clashed with critics, including a long-running feud with horror author Stephen King.
His influence in conservative media grew following the death of Rush Limbaugh, with some comparing him to the late radio giant. He briefly hosted a radio show in Limbaugh’s former time slot and later shifted focus to his podcast, which remains one of the most popular on platforms like Spotify.
Despite his media success, Bongino has remained politically active. Last year, he interviewed Trump and urged him to reform the Secret Service, calling it a “failed” agency. He was particularly critical of security lapses in the wake of two assassination attempts on Trump.
Democrats have raised alarms about the politicisation of the FBI under Trump, Bongino’s supporters see his appointment as a move to restore the bureau’s credibility. Trump expressed full confidence in his choice, concluding his announcement by stating, “What an incredible job Dan will do!!!”
English (US) · 