Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned right-wing podcaster, has been appointed as the next deputy director of the FBI. President Donald Trump announced this decision on Sunday, marking the latest instance of an outsider media personality being chosen for a significant position of power within the government. Bongino's appointment highlights a trend of selecting individuals outside the traditional career routes for high-profile roles in complex government organizations.
The position of FBI deputy director is traditionally held by a career FBI agent. Bongino's selection is seen as a response to the recent tensions between the interim FBI leadership and Emil Bove, the acting deputy attorney general. Bove's demands for the names of FBI agents involved in the January 6, 2021, investigations and other Trump-related probes have created significant friction.
Initially, Kash Patel, the newly confirmed FBI Director, had indicated that Robert Kissane, the acting deputy director, was likely to be retained. However, the resistance from Kissane and Brian Driscoll, the former acting director of the FBI, to Bove’s demands altered the decision, according to sources familiar with the matter.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday night, Trump praised Bongino as a patriot with a deep love for the country and highlighted his extensive background in law enforcement. Trump noted that Bongino is willing to step away from his popular radio show and podcast, "The Dan Bongino Show," to serve in the deputy director role.
"Working with our great new United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Director Patel, fairness, justice, law, and order will be restored to America quickly. Congratulations Dan!" Trump stated.
During Friday’s episode of his show, titled “The Golden Age Of Republican Politics,” Bongino celebrated Patel's confirmation as FBI Director. "We got Kash through, so now you are going to see what real change is like," Bongino remarked, signaling his enthusiasm for the new leadership.
As Trump shared his announcement, the FBI Agents Association, representing thousands of current and former federal agents, sent a mass email to its members. The communication welcomed Patel as the new director and outlined a collaborative approach for the future.
The deputy FBI director is responsible for day-to-day oversight of all FBI operations and coordinates investigations and intelligence matters across the bureau’s 55 field offices. This role is crucial for assisting employees nationwide, particularly during conflicts with Justice Department prosecutors or other agencies.
In a recent update to members, the Agents Association emphasized that Patel agreed the next deputy should be chosen from within the organization’s ranks. However, FBI officials noted that Patel did not disclose his choice for deputy during his first full day as director.
Following Patel’s Senate confirmation last week, Driscoll returned to his Newark, New Jersey, office, and Kissane, the New York FBI counterterrorism chief, was on a previously planned family vacation.
Report contributed by CNN’s Josh Campbell and Evan Perez.
