Dan Bongino Named FBI Deputy Director in Surprising Appointment

In a major shake-up at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dan Bongino has been appointed as the new FBI Deputy Director. The announcement, made on Sunday, February 23, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion about the direction of the FBI under its new leadership.

Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and well-known conservative commentator, was appointed by newly sworn-in FBI Director Kash Patel. The move has been praised by former President Donald Trump, who described Bongino as a dedicated patriot and welcomed the appointment as positive news for law enforcement.

Bongino’s background is somewhat unconventional for such a high-ranking FBI position. Before rising to prominence as a political commentator and host of “The Dan Bongino Show,” he served in the Secret Service, where he worked on the presidential protection detail for both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He also spent time as a New York Police Department officer in the 1990s and made several unsuccessful runs for public office. Despite this extensive law enforcement background, he has never worked within the FBI, raising concerns about his qualifications for the role.

His appointment is part of a broader leadership change within the FBI. Bongino will be working alongside Kash Patel, who was sworn in as FBI Director just two days before him, on February 21, 2025. Patel, a longtime Trump ally, has already signaled plans for significant structural changes within the FBI, including proposals to move hundreds of employees out of Washington, D.C., and shift the agency’s focus back to traditional crime-fighting efforts rather than national security and political investigations.

These leadership changes come during a period of turbulence within the FBI. The Justice Department recently removed several senior officials and requested records about agents involved in the January 6 investigations, fueling speculation about a potential political realignment within the agency. Many Democrats and legal experts worry that the appointments of Patel and Bongino could lead to the politicization of federal law enforcement.

Critics argue that neither Bongino nor Patel has the background typically expected for top FBI leadership roles. Senior FBI positions are ordinarily filled by professionals with years of experience in federal law enforcement and investigative work. The selection of two figures closely associated with Trump raises questions about whether the FBI’s independence could be compromised.

Bongino’s outspoken views on law enforcement further add to the controversy. He has previously criticized the Secret Service, calling it a “failed” agency, and has reportedly discussed law enforcement reforms with Trump following last year’s assassination attempts. With such strong personal opinions about federal law enforcement, some question how he will navigate his new leadership role in the FBI.

Bongino and Patel are replacing Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll and Acting Deputy Director Robert Kissane. Their leadership follows the resignation of Christopher Wray, who stepped down in January 2025 after serving as FBI Director since his appointment by Trump in 2017.

While supporters argue that Bongino’s law enforcement experience and Patel’s prosecutorial background may bring necessary changes, critics warn that these appointments could result in a more politically influenced FBI. Whether this transition strengthens or weakens the FBI’s credibility remains to be seen, but it is clear that the agency’s direction will be closely monitored in the months ahead.