FBI Director Kash Patel has presented two starkly different visions for the future of the United States' powerful law enforcement agency. During his confirmation hearing, Patel assured senators of his commitment to preventing any form of politicization within the FBI. He expressed his respect for the FBI agents, affirming that under his leadership, no personnel would face termination based on their case assignments.
Despite these assurances, Patel's 2023 book and public appearances offer a contrasting narrative. He has criticized FBI agents as untrustworthy and called for retribution against perceived adversaries of himself and former President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, Patel appointed Dan Bongino as deputy director. Bongino, a bombastic podcast host, has never worked with the FBI yet has spent years promoting conspiracy theories about the bureau and the so-called "deep state." His hiring into this influential role, traditionally held by FBI veterans, signals the direction Patel may intend to pursue.
Ray Batvinis, a retired FBI counterintelligence officer, expressed skepticism about Bongino's appointment, stating, "The bureau has never had someone from the outside come in as a deputy director. Never. I believe Bongino has a steep—possibly insurmountable—learning curve."
The FBI declined to comment on Bongino's hiring. However, Patel announced on X that this move is "tremendous news for law enforcement and the future of American justice." He praised Bongino as a "warrior and lifelong public servant" amid plans to work alongside new Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bongino has been a prominent conservative pundit, often criticizing the FBI as corrupt and untrustworthy. He and Patel, along with other Trump allies, claim the agency is biased against conservatives. Bongino has called for the firing of FBI agents involved in the court-authorized search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property for missing classified documents.
Concerns are growing among FBI agents about the potential upheaval Patel and Bongino may bring, according to individuals familiar with the situation who requested anonymity. They fear the duo might target agents deemed disloyal and use the FBI to execute White House directives.
Bongino's appointment has exacerbated existing mistrust towards Patel and the Trump administration. Just two days after Bongino's announcement, senior FBI managers were informed of Patel's plans to relocate up to 1,500 administrative staff and agents from the Washington headquarters to various satellite locations across the country.
Before his confirmation, Patel assured the FBI Agents Association that he would appoint a deputy with a strong background in law enforcement and the bureau's trust. Traditionally, the FBI selects a deputy director from within its ranks, someone familiar with the bureau's intricacies. With Patel lacking FBI experience, the association had hoped for a knowledgeable insider.
On Inauguration Day, Trump appointed respected FBI leaders Brian Driscoll and Robert Kissane as acting director and deputy director. Both had extensive experience and garnered respect among agents. There was hope Patel would retain one of them in the deputy position.
The roles of Driscoll and Kissane remain uncertain following Patel's confirmation and Bongino's appointment, which does not require Senate approval. Christopher O’Leary, a former senior executive in the FBI’s counterterrorism division, commented, "Choosing a deputy director who has no qualifications other than being a fiercely loyal defender of President Trump indicates they are not focused on the critical mission of the FBI."
Bongino, a former New York police officer and Secret Service agent, resigned from the Secret Service over a decade ago due to perceived dysfunction. He became a Fox News commentator and unsuccessfully ran for political office. In 2015, he launched a pro-Trump podcast, attracting millions of listeners and repeatedly labeling the FBI as "irredeemably corrupt."
Throughout his podcasting career, Bongino has advanced conspiracy theories and made unfounded claims, including assertions that President Joe Biden stole the 2020 election from Trump. He has also disputed FBI efforts to identify the suspect behind the pipe bombs placed outside party committee offices in January 2021.
In his recent podcast, Bongino expressed mixed emotions about leaving the show to assume his new role at the FBI. He emphasized his commitment to reforming the FBI as an apolitical entity. Despite this transition, he maintained his promotional activities, advocating for health supplements to his audience.
