US President Donald Trump has named podcaster and analyst Dan Bongino as the assistant director of the FBI.
Trump announced on social media that Bongino was “a man of extraordinary devotion and enthusiasm for our Nation” and would work under newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel.
Bongino, 50, who previously served in the New York police department and the Secret Service, is a dedicated Trump supporter who has promoted false narratives regarding the 2020 election and other topics.
His selection, which does not need Senate approval, means neither of the two highest-ranking officials overseeing the agency has prior FBI experience.
The assistant director, responsible for overseeing all national and international operations, is typically a longtime agent with extensive expertise.
He presents the daily podcast The Dan Bongino Show, whose Facebook posts frequently receive more engagement than those of Fox News and CNN combined.
In Friday’s broadcast, he discussed the FBI, commending Patel and attempting to ease Democratic concerns that the agency will be weaponized against Trump’s adversaries.
“Kash Patel is here for one purpose—he is here to restore the FBI’s greatness,” he said.
He is dedicated to combating crime and nothing else, he added, referring to his new superior as the “reform leader” the FBI requires.
“How incredible would it be in four years to reflect on a high-quality, transformed FBI, free from progressive ideology and DEI, making headlines with major arrests of dangerous criminals wreaking havoc in your neighborhoods? How great would that be?”
Trump stated in his social media declaration on Sunday that Bongino would step away from the podcast, emphasizing that he would contribute to reinstating fairness, justice, law, and order.
Bongino, who has campaigned for Congress three times, hosted Trump on his podcast prior to last year’s election.
Recent episodes of his show feature titles like Trump Keeps Winning And The Left Is Furious and The Only People Who Support Crime Are Criminals!!!
He has reiterated Trump’s unfounded assertion that he won the 2020 election and spread another theory that Joe Biden’s administration orchestrated the FBI’s raid for classified materials at Trump’s Florida residence.
“EVERYONE associated with this DOJ/FBI disaster, from leadership down to personnel, must be immediately removed when the oppressors are voted out,” he posted on X.
In 2018, discussing his career as a prolific conservative commentator, Bongino remarked, “My mission is all about frustrating the liberals now.”
With a confrontational style, he frequently responds to Trump’s critics on X, including an ongoing feud with horror novelist Stephen King.
Patel was last week narrowly approved by the Senate to lead the law-enforcement institution he has long criticized.
He denied intentions to seek political retribution and vowed to “reconstruct” the bureau.
The FBI employs 38,000 individuals and operates with a budget exceeding $11 billion.
