Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent known for his successful books, unsuccessful political campaigns, and conservative commentary through TV shows and podcasts, has been appointed as the FBI’s deputy director. President Donald Trump announced the news on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino for his “incredible love and passion for our country” and calling it “great news for law enforcement and American justice.”

The appointment places Bongino alongside Kash Patel, who was recently sworn in as FBI director and has plans to restructure the bureau, including relocating staff and focusing more on core crime-fighting duties. Patel has not explicitly stated whether he will use his position to pursue Trump’s political opponents, raising concerns among Democrats about potential targeting of adversaries.

As deputy director, Bongino, who served with the presidential details for Presidents Obama and Bush and later gained fame as a right-wing commentator and podcast host, will become the second-in-command at the FBI. Despite his popularity, Bongino faced defeat in several political races, including bids for a Senate seat in Maryland and congressional seats in Maryland and Florida. He has also been an advocate for reforming the Secret Service, criticizing its performance in recent years.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/dan-bongino-trump-new-fbi-deputy-director-podcast-host