By wr_root 
Key Points
- It seems likely that President Donald Trump appointed Dan Bongino, a conservative podcast host and former law enforcement officer, as the deputy FBI director on February 23, 2025, as reported by multiple news outlets.
- The appointment is controversial, with concerns about Bongino’s lack of FBI experience and potential political influence, given his close ties to Trump.
- This move follows the recent confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director, placing two Trump allies at the top of the agency, which may signal a shift in FBI priorities.
Background
President Donald Trump announced on February 23, 2025, that Dan Bongino, known for his conservative podcast “The Dan Bongino Show,” would serve as the deputy FBI director. Bongino, aged 50, has a background in law enforcement, having served as a New York Police Department officer and a U.S. Secret Service agent, protecting Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. However, he lacks direct FBI experience, which is unusual for the deputy director role, typically held by career FBI agents.
Context and Implications
This appointment comes shortly after Kash Patel, another Trump loyalist, was confirmed as FBI director on February 20, 2025, in a narrow 51-49 Senate vote. Both appointments have raised concerns among Democrats and some Republicans about the potential for the FBI to be used for political purposes, especially given Bongino’s history of supporting Trump’s claims, such as the false narrative about the 2020 election being stolen. The deputy director position does not require Senate confirmation, allowing for quicker implementation of Trump’s vision for the agency.
Unexpected Detail
An unexpected aspect is Bongino’s media career, including hosting a Fox News show and running a popular podcast, which contrasts with the traditional law enforcement background of previous deputy directors, highlighting a significant departure from convention.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Trump’s Appointment of Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director
On February 23, 2025, President Donald Trump announced via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Dan Bongino, a conservative podcast host and former law enforcement officer, would serve as the deputy FBI director. This move, reported by outlets such as Politico, The Washington Post, and NPR, marks a significant and controversial shift in the leadership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), especially following the recent confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director.
Background on Dan Bongino
Dan Bongino, born December 4, 1974, in Queens, New York, has a diverse career spanning law enforcement and media. He began as a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer from 1995 to 1999, then joined the U.S. Secret Service, serving from 1999 to 2011. During his Secret Service tenure, he was part of the Presidential Protective Division, safeguarding Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. After leaving the Secret Service, Bongino ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Maryland in 2012 and 2014. Transitioning to media, he hosted “Unfiltered with Dan Bongino” on Fox News from 2021 to 2023 and currently hosts “The Dan Bongino Show” on Rumble, a platform known for conservative content. His podcast has gained significant traction, with Facebook posts often outperforming those of major networks like Fox News and CNN, as noted by BBC.
Bongino holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the City University of New York and an MBA from Penn State, adding to his credentials. However, his lack of direct FBI experience is a notable departure from the traditional profile of a deputy director, a role typically filled by career FBI agents with extensive bureau experience, as highlighted by The New York Times.
The Appointment Context
The deputy director position, responsible for overseeing all domestic and international operations of the FBI, does not require Senate confirmation, unlike the director role. This allowed Trump to appoint Bongino swiftly, following the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director on February 20, 2025, in a contentious 51-49 Senate vote, opposed by two Republicans (Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins) and all Democrats, as reported by NBC News. Patel, a former federal prosecutor and Trump loyalist, has a history of criticizing the FBI, advocating for reforms, and even suggesting relocating its headquarters, as mentioned in CNN Politics.
Trump’s announcement praised Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country,” emphasizing his law enforcement past and willingness to leave his media career to serve, according to Fox News. Bongino, in turn, thanked Trump on X (Dan Bongino X post), reinforcing his alignment with the president.
Controversy and Reactions
The appointment has sparked controversy due to Bongino’s lack of FBI experience and his close ties to Trump. Reports from Axios and CBS News note that Democrats are concerned this could lead to the FBI being used to target Trump’s political adversaries, especially given Bongino’s history of promoting Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election being stolen. The intelligence community has also expressed worry over Bongino’s support for conspiracy theories and his lack of relevant experience, as mentioned in NBC News.
While specific statements from Democratic leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer were not found, general unease was evident in media coverage. On the other hand, Trump and his supporters, including Bongino himself, frame this as a move to restore “Fairness, Justice, Law and Order,” as stated in Trump’s Truth Social post, cited by The New York Post.
Implications for the FBI
The dual appointment of Bongino and Patel, both without traditional FBI backgrounds, suggests a potential overhaul of the agency. Patel has signaled intentions to reshape the FBI, including relocating employees from Washington headquarters and emphasizing traditional crime-fighting duties, as reported by AP News. This could lead to changes in the FBI’s culture, priorities, and operational focus, raising questions about its independence and impartiality, especially in politically sensitive investigations.
A table summarizing key details of the appointments is provided below:
| Position | Appointee | Background | Confirmation Required | Date of Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBI Director | Kash Patel | Lawyer, former prosecutor, Trump loyalist | Yes | February 20, 2025 |
| Deputy Director | Dan Bongino | NYPD officer, Secret Service agent, podcaster | No | February 23, 2025 |
Conclusion
The appointment of Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director, alongside Kash Patel’s directorship, represents a significant and controversial shift for the FBI. Both figures, lacking traditional FBI experience and aligned with Trump, may steer the agency toward a new direction, potentially affecting its role in national security and law enforcement. As of February 24, 2025, the nation watches closely to see how these changes will unfold, with ongoing debates about the balance between political influence and institutional independence.
Key Citations
- Trump names podcaster Dan Bongino to be second-in-command at FBI POLITICO
- Trump announces conservative podcaster Dan Bongino as FBI deputy director The Washington Post
- Trump names conservative media personality Dan Bongino as FBI deputy director NPR
- Dan Bongino Trump names podcaster as deputy FBI director BBC
- Trump says Dan Bongino will be deputy director of the FBI Fox News
- Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director NBC News
- Who is Kash Patel Trump’s pick for FBI director CNN Politics
