Trump Appoints Dan Bongino as Deputy FBI Director

Trump announced the appointment on social media, calling Bongino “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.” Unlike previous deputies, Bongino does not have prior experience as an FBI agent, making this an unconventional pick for a role traditionally held by career law enforcement professionals.

Bongino’s Background

At 50, Bongino has had a varied career, serving in the New York Police Department and the Secret Service before transitioning into conservative media. He is best known for hosting The Dan Bongino Show, a daily podcast that garners massive online engagement, often surpassing mainstream networks like Fox News and CNN in social media traction.

Bongino’s Stance on the FBI

In a recent episode of his podcast, Bongino praised his new boss Patel, assuring listeners that their goal is to “make the FBI great again.” He stated that the agency will focus on fighting crime rather than what he called “woke culture and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion).” Bongino has been vocal in his criticism of the FBI, particularly in its handling of investigations related to Trump. He has repeatedly supported Trump's claims about the 2020 election and criticized the Justice Department's search for classified documents at Trump’s Florida residence.

Trump’s Vision for the FBI

Trump stated that Bongino would step away from his podcasting career to fully commit to his new role, adding that he will work to restore fairness, justice, law, and order within the agency.

Kash Patel’s Leadership

Bongino's appointment comes shortly after the Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI Director, despite his history of criticizing the agency. Patel has vowed to "rebuild" the FBI and denied allegations that he would pursue political revenge. With 38,000 employees and an $11 billion budget, the FBI is a crucial law enforcement body in the U.S. With two politically aligned Trump allies now at the helm, the agency is poised for a significant shift in direction.

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