Former President Donald Trump announced Sunday that conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino has been named the next deputy director of the FBI.
Trump described the appointment as “great news for law enforcement and American justice,” praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our country.”
Who is Dan Bongino?
At 49, Dan Bongino has built a career spanning law enforcement, politics, and media. A former NYPD officer, he later served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, including assignments on the presidential details of both George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Following his tenure in law enforcement, Bongino transitioned into conservative media, becoming a frequent commentator on Fox News. He officially joined the network as a contributor in 2019 and launched his own Saturday night show in 2021.
In announcing Bongino’s appointment, Trump highlighted his academic credentials, noting that he holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from CUNY 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 stated.
The Dan Bongino Podcast
Bongino’s self-titled show, The Dan Bongino Show, is widely available on major streaming platforms. The podcast focuses on political commentary, with Bongino positioning himself as a staunch critic of both liberal and Republican establishment narratives.
The Role of FBI Deputy Director
As the FBI’s second-in-command, the deputy director plays a crucial role in overseeing the agency’s domestic and internal investigative and intelligence operations. Bongino will report directly to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Who is Kash Patel?
Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, was confirmed by the Senate last week as FBI Director. Patel has been an outspoken critic of the agency he now leads, particularly regarding its handling of past investigations involving Trump.
A former federal public defender and counterterrorism prosecutor at the Justice Department, Patel gained national attention while working for the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee. During Trump’s first term, he helped draft a controversial memo criticizing the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Patel later served in the Trump administration as a senior counterterrorism official on the National Security Council and as chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense.
With Patel at the helm and Bongino as his deputy, the FBI’s leadership is now firmly in the hands of two staunch Trump allies, signaling potential shifts in the agency’s direction.
