Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed conservative podcaster and commentator Dan Bongino as the new deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The announcement, made via Trump’s social media account, praised Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.”
Bongino, 50, a former New York police officer and Secret Service agent, is a staunch Trump supporter known for promoting unverified claims about the 2020 presidential election. His appointment raises concerns as neither of the top two officials now leading the FBI – including newly confirmed Director Kash Patel – have any prior experience within the agency.
Typically, the deputy director is a seasoned FBI agent with extensive law enforcement background. The position oversees both domestic and international operations, making Bongino’s selection a controversial one.
Bongino is widely recognized as the host of The Dan Bongino Show, a popular conservative podcast. His social media presence often rivals major news networks like Fox News and CNN. On his show, he recently defended Patel’s leadership and attempted to reassure critics that the FBI would not be used as a political weapon against Trump’s opponents.
“Kash Patel is there for one reason – to make the FBI great again,” Bongino stated in a recent episode, calling Patel a “change agent” the bureau desperately needs.
The appointment has sparked intense debate among political analysts and lawmakers. Critics argue that Trump’s decision to install loyalists in key law enforcement positions could undermine the FBI’s independence. Bongino has previously expressed strong opinions against the agency, once stating that “everyone involved in this DOJ/FBI abomination must be immediately terminated when the tyrants are thrown out of office.”
Furthermore, Bongino has promoted Trump’s false claim of winning the 2020 election and alleged that President Joe Biden’s administration orchestrated the FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump announced that Bongino would be stepping away from his podcast to focus on his new role, emphasizing that he would help “restore fairness, justice, law, and order.” While supporters believe Bongino will bring a fresh perspective to the FBI, critics worry about the long-term impact of appointing political allies to critical law enforcement positions.
With the FBI overseeing 38,000 employees and operating with an $11 billion budget, Bongino’s leadership will be closely watched in the coming months. — BBC
