WASHINGTON — Dan Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent with a notable career as an author, failed political candidate, and conservative commentator, has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to make the announcement on Sunday evening. He expressed his admiration for Bongino, referring to him as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country,” and heralded the news as “great for Law Enforcement and American Justice.”
This appointment places two prominent Trump supporters at the helm of the nation’s top federal law enforcement agency, amid concerns among Democrats that Trump may attempt to leverage the FBI against political opponents. Bongino will work alongside Kash Patel, who was recently sworn in as the FBI director and has plans to overhaul the agency, proposing the relocation of hundreds of staff from Washington D.C. and a renewed focus on conventional crime-fighting efforts.
As Deputy Director, Bongino will take on the role of the FBI’s second-in-command, typically filled by a career professional responsible for managing daily operations of the bureau.
At 49 years old, Bongino has previously served on presidential protection details for George W. Bush and Barack Obama before transitioning into a notable conservative voice. He has gained considerable influence within the Make America Great Again movement, promoting disinformation regarding the 2020 presidential elections.
Following the passing of Rush Limbaugh in 2021, Bongino was selected to fill the time slot of the late radio host, further establishing his presence in conservative media.
Bongino’s career began at the New York Police Department from 1997 to 1999 before he joined the Secret Service. He has been a staple on Fox News for over a decade and hosted a Saturday night program with the network from 2021 to 2023. Currently, he leads The Dan Bongino Show, which is recognized as one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify.
He made bids for political office, including a run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland in 2012 and attempts for congressional seats in both Maryland and Florida in 2014 and 2016, although he was unsuccessful in all three elections.
In a recent interview, Bongino urged Trump to initiate reforms for the Secret Service, labeling it a “failed” organization and criticizing the agency for failing to prevent two assassination attempts on the president the previous year.
He specified concerns about security, stating, “That guy should have been nowhere near you,” referencing an incident involving an individual with a rifle near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
In the same discussion, Trump acknowledged the efforts of the Secret Service agent who detected the potential threat.
