Dan Bongino: Who is Dan Bongino? Donald Trump’s pick for FBI deputy under Kash Patel

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned conservative commentator, has been appointed as the brand new deputy director of the FBI by US President Donald Trump.
The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social platform and has drawn consideration because of Bongino’s background in legislation enforcement and his sturdy political ties.
Bongino, 50, served with the New York police division earlier than becoming a member of the Secret Service, the place he labored on the protecting particulars of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. After leaving authorities service, he transitioned into political commentary, turning into probably the most influential voices in right-wing media. His podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, usually garners extra engagement on social media than mainstream shops like Fox News and CNN.
Trump hailed Bongino’s appointment as “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.” He praised the commentator’s dedication to the nation and highlighted his willingness to step away from his extremely profitable podcast to tackle the function. “Dan has a Masters Degree in Psychology from C.U.N.Y., 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 wrote.
Bongino responded to the appointment in a put up on X, saying, “Thank you Mr President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”

A loyal Trump ally
Bongino has lengthy been a vocal supporter of Trump and a fierce critic of the president’s opponents. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress thrice and has been an lively determine within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) motion. His podcast usually options titles that mock liberals, similar to “Trump Keeps Delivering And The Libs Are Seething.”
His appointment as FBI deputy director is important because it locations two Trump loyalists on the prime of the company. Kash Patel, one other shut ally of the president, was confirmed as FBI director final week regardless of opposition from two Republican senators and all Senate Democrats. Trump described Patel as “the best ever Director” and indicated that, alongside legal professional common Pam Bondi, the trio would deliver “Fairness, Justice, Law and Order back to America, and quickly.”
Bongino’s appointment doesn’t require Senate affirmation, guaranteeing he’ll take up the function instantly. His new boss, Patel, has vowed to “clean up” the company and has dismissed issues that the administration will use the FBI to focus on political adversaries.
Breaking custom
Bongino’s appointment breaks with the FBI’s long-standing custom of getting profession brokers function deputy director. Typically, the second-in-command is accountable for the bureau’s day by day legislation enforcement operations. The FBI Agents Association had beforehand urged Patel to make sure that the function remained inside the ranks of profession FBI personnel. However, Bongino has by no means labored for the FBI.
Patel, who has criticised the company’s earlier investigations into Trump, has pledged to reshape the FBI by specializing in conventional crime-fighting efforts and relocating lots of of workers from Washington. Bongino has additionally been an outspoken critic of federal legislation enforcement companies, significantly over their dealing with of the 2020 election and Secret Service operations.
Beyond legislation enforcement
Beyond his legislation enforcement profession, Bongino has gained a repute as a combative political determine. He has regularly clashed with critics, together with a long-running feud with horror writer Stephen King.
His affect in conservative media grew following the demise of Rush Limbaugh, with some evaluating him to the late radio big. He briefly hosted a radio present in Limbaugh’s former time slot and later shifted focus to his podcast, which stays probably the most well-liked on platforms like Spotify.
Despite his media success, Bongino has remained politically lively. Last yr, he interviewed Trump and urged him to reform the Secret Service, calling it a “failed” company. He was significantly vital of safety lapses within the wake of two assassination makes an attempt on Trump.
Democrats have raised alarms in regards to the politicisation of the FBI under Trump, Bongino’s supporters see his appointment as a transfer to revive the bureau’s credibility. Trump expressed full confidence in his selection, concluding his announcement by stating, “What an incredible job Dan will do!!!”