Dan Bongino, a well-known right-wing podcaster, is stepping into a surprising new role as the deputy FBI director, a position for which he was selected by President Donald Trump. Bongino, who turns 50, is a former New York police officer and served as a U.S. Secret Service agent, backgrounds that, while impressive, do not include any direct experience with the FBI. Despite this, Bongino is known for his vocal opinions on how the FBI should be managed and transformed.
Throughout his career in broadcasting, Bongino has been a fierce critic of the media, Democrats, and the federal government. His podcasts often reveal his steadfast support for Kash Patel, who heads the FBI. Bongino has called for major overhauls within the agency, advocating for the elimination of political biases and a reshaping of its investigative priorities. His commentary illustrates a desire for a shift away from domestic extremism investigations in favor of alternative objectives.
Bongino firmly believes that Kash Patel is the most qualified leader to reform the FBI. He has often praised Patel on his podcast, claiming that Patel can address deeply rooted issues within the bureau. Bongino encourages his listeners—whom he refers to as his “Bongino Army”—to pressure their senators into supporting Patel’s agenda. According to Bongino, without Patel at the helm, obtaining clear answers from the FBI would remain elusive.
His appraisal of past and current FBI leadership is characterized by harsh criticism. He has labeled former director Christopher Wray as “incompetent” and disparaged former acting director Andrew McCabe as a “buffoon.” Bongino’s critiques extend to other past figures who played roles in the FBI’s inquiries into Trump and other politically sensitive investigations.
Bongino envisions a rapid transformation for the FBI, prompted by his belief that the window for Republican control is closing. His critical stance on the FBI’s past involvement in investigations linked to Trump underscores his wish for swift personnel changes. He calls for the firing of agents whose actions he perceives as politically motivated rather than constitutionally grounded.
Furthermore, Bongino argues the FBI has overly focused on domestic intelligence, thereby neglecting more crucial threats. He maintains that law enforcement’s attention to events like the January 6 Capitol riot has been misdirected. Bongino has frequently criticized the emphasis on what he deems are minor domestic infractions rather than addressing significant international criminal activities.
His dissatisfaction with the Department of Justice extends to former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s directives to investigate threats against school boards and educators, which Bongino sees as a diversion from more pressing matters. He consistently emphasizes the need for the FBI to reclaim its role as a formidable force against terrorism and violent crime.
Despite his new role, Bongino’s skepticism toward the FBI’s current structure and function remains. This sentiment is rooted in personal experience; he recalls aspiring to be an FBI agent since high school and has often voiced his disillusionment with what he perceives as the agency’s moral decline.
In summary, Dan Bongino’s transition from media mogul to deputy director of the FBI marks a new chapter, but his approach suggests he carries his outspoken stance and reformist zeal into this high-level government position. His tenure will undoubtedly be closely watched as he seeks to implement the profound changes he believes are necessary for the FBI.