Former U.S. Secret Service agent, bestselling author, and conservative commentator Dan Bongino has been appointed as the FBI’s deputy director. President Donald Trump announced the appointment on Sunday night, February 18, 2025, via his Truth Social platform, calling Bongino “a man of incredible love and passion for our country.” Trump described the move as “great news for law enforcement and American justice.”
Bongino’s Background and Rise to Prominence
Dan Bongino, 49, was a member of the presidential security details for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama while working for the U.S. Secret Service. He previously worked for the New York Police Department from 1997 to 1999. After exiting the Secret Service, Bongino emerged as a well-known conservative media personality. His podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, is still one of the most popular political podcasts on Spotify. He also had a Saturday evening show on Fox News from 2021 to 2023.
Bongino is also famous for his political involvement. He contested a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 2012 and congressional seats in Maryland and Florida in 2014 and 2016, respectively, but lost. Though he lost, his political influence in right-wing circles has increased significantly.
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A Controversial Appointment
Bongino’s appointment comes during an intensified period of political tension, when two close Trump allies now preside over the FBI. He will work under Kash Patel, who was inaugurated as FBI director on Feb. 16, 2025. Patel has already made clear his intention to shake up the bureau, such as by moving hundreds of workers from its Washington headquarters and prioritizing classical crime-fighting responsibilities.
The action has caused alarm among Democrats, fearing that the Trump administration might use the FBI to harass political opponents. Patel has not clearly confirmed whether he would pursue Trump’s opponents, further increasing speculation.
The Future of the FBI
As deputy director, Bongino will oversee the daily activities of the FBI, a position usually filled by a career agent with significant law enforcement background. His experience in the Secret Service and his outspoken political ideology make his selection atypical and contentious.
Bongino previously criticized the Secret Service, calling for it to be reformed after two attempts on Trump’s life last year. In a 2024 interview, he labeled the agency “failed” and faulted its response to security threats.
With Bongino taking over his new position, the nation will be keeping a keen eye on how his leadership and the direction set by Patel will mold the future of the FBI and its work.
