President Donald Trump has appointed conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino as deputy director of the FBI, placing a staunch ally in a key leadership role within the agency. Bongino, 50, will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel.
A controversial pick with no FBI experience
Bongino, known for his podcast The Dan Bongino Show, has been a vocal supporter of Trump and has frequently criticized the FBI in the past. Unlike past deputy directors, who typically rise through the bureau’s ranks, Bongino has no direct FBI experience. His appointment, however, does not require Senate confirmation.
Trump praised Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country,” while Bongino thanked the president on social media, saying, “We are going to re-establish faith in this institution. The FBI belongs to the American people.”
A political shift in the FBI
The appointment comes as the FBI undergoes major changes following Trump’s return to the White House. The Justice Department recently forced out top officials and requested the names of agents involved in the 2021 Capitol riot investigation, a move critics argue threatens the agency’s political independence.
Bongino and Patel, both seen as Trump loyalists, have pledged to reform the bureau. Bongino defended Patel’s leadership, saying, “Kash Patel is there for one reason: he is there to make the FBI great again.”
Bongino to step away from podcast
In a surprise announcement, Trump stated that Bongino would step away from his popular podcast to take on his new role. Bongino’s program has consistently outperformed mainstream news outlets in social media engagement, often featuring fiery criticism of Trump’s opponents.
With a budget of over $11 billion and 38,000 employees, the FBI is one of the most powerful law enforcement agencies in the country. As Bongino steps into his role, his presence signals a new chapter for the agency—one that is already stirring controversy.
