Trump names podcaster as deputy FBI director

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed podcast host and commentator Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Trump stated on social media that Bongino has "an incredible love and passion for our country" and that he will serve under the newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel. This appointment signals a significant shift in the bureau's leadership.

Bongino, 50, a former New York Police Department officer and Secret Service agent, is a staunch Trump ally who has spread false information about the 2020 presidential election. The appointment does not require Senate approval, meaning that neither of the agency's top two officials has prior FBI work experience. This raises concerns about the agency's future direction and potential politicization.

Bongino wrote on social media Sunday night: "Thank you, Mr. President." The Deputy Director oversees all domestic and international operations and is typically a career agent with years of experience. Bongino hosts the daily podcast "The Dan Bongino Show," whose Facebook posts often receive more engagement than those of Fox News and CNN. His influence extends beyond traditional media outlets.

During a segment on the FBI on Friday's show, Bongino praised Patel and sought to alleviate Democratic concerns that the agency would be used to target Trump's enemies. "Kash Patel is there for one reason, he's going to make the FBI great again," he said. He also added that Patel is committed to fighting crime and nothing else, calling his new boss the "change agent" the FBI needs. His remarks aimed to reassure the public about the bureau's future integrity.

"How great would it be if, looking back in four years, we see a high-quality, reformed FBI, rid of woke culture and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and going out and arresting the bad guys who are actually destroying your communities? How good would that be?" Bongino's appointment comes at a turbulent time for the FBI, following the Justice Department's forcing out of several senior officials and requests for the names of agents investigating the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. Critics say this threatens the FBI's political independence.

Both Bongino and Patel are viewed as staunch Trump loyalists. Bongino addressed concerns about political partisanship in his content on his daily radio show on Monday. "We play different roles in life, and each role requires different skills," he said. He later added: "We are going to rebuild trust in this institution. The FBI belongs to the American people." His statements suggest a commitment to restoring public confidence in the agency.

Bongino has run for Congress three times, and Trump appeared on his podcast ahead of last year's elections. Titles of his shows over the past week include "Trump Keeps His Promises and the Liberals are FURIOUS" and "The Only People Who Like Crime are Criminals!!!" He has reiterated Trump's false claims that he won the 2020 election and has promoted another conspiracy theory that the Joe Biden administration was behind the FBI's search of Trump's Florida home for classified documents. His content reflects a strong alignment with Trump's political agenda.

In 2018, speaking about his career as a prolific conservative political commentator, Bongino said, "My life is now completely about defeating the liberals." Bongino is known for his combative personality and frequently engages with Trump's critics on X, including a long-running feud with horror novelist Stephen King. Trump said in his social media announcement on Sunday that Bongino would be giving up his podcast to serve in the FBI. This move signifies a complete transition into his new role.

Patel was narrowly confirmed by the Senate last week to lead the law enforcement agency he has long attacked. He has denied any plans for political retribution and has pledged to "rebuild" the bureau. The FBI has 38,000 employees and a budget of more than $11 billion. His leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges and controversies facing the agency.