Former Secret Service agent and conservative media personality Dan Bongino has been selected as the next Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, President Donald Trump announced Sunday evening. The appointment has generated significant controversy within the agency and among its former officials.
The unprecedented selection marks a departure from the FBI’s 117-year tradition of appointing active Special Agents to the Deputy Director position. This break from convention has prompted immediate pushback from the FBI Agents Association, which released a memo emphasizing the importance of maintaining operational expertise and experience in the role, as well as preserving the trust of the agency’s Special Agent workforce.
The announcement has proven particularly contentious given that newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel had previously provided assurances to Republican senators that he would select a special agent with bureau experience for the deputy position, rather than bringing in an outsider. Patel, who took his oath of office at the White House on Friday, had also reportedly made similar commitments during January meetings with the FBI Agents Association.
NBC News correspondent Ken Dilanian voiced criticism of the selection on social media platform X, highlighting that Bongino lacks direct FBI experience while noting his history of making controversial statements about the bureau. The appointment appears to be generating particular concern among those who have traditionally been involved in FBI leadership.
Former Trump administration official Richard Grenell defended the selection, suggesting that opposition to Bongino’s appointment stems from establishment resistance to change. He specifically responded to criticisms about breaking with tradition, characterizing such arguments as attempts by existing power structures to maintain control.
The selection of Bongino, who has been a vocal critic of the FBI’s handling of the Russia investigation and has extensively covered related controversies in conservative media, signals a significant shift in bureau leadership. Commentators supporting the appointment, including Hans Mahncke, have suggested that Bongino’s outsider perspective and familiarity with investigating alleged FBI misconduct could lead to increased transparency about past bureau operations.
This leadership change comes as the FBI continues to face scrutiny over its past actions, particularly regarding its role in
investigating former President Trump and allegations of political bias within the agency. Bongino, who has built a significant following through his media presence and commentary on these issues, will now hold a key position within the very institution he has frequently criticized.
The appointment represents one of the most significant changes to FBI leadership in recent years, placing two Trump allies – Patel as Director and Bongino as Deputy Director – at the helm of the nation’s premier law enforcement agency. This restructuring suggests a potential shift in the bureau’s direction and operational priorities under the current administration.
Both Bongino and Patel have publicly acknowledged their new roles, with Bongino expressing gratitude to President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel in a social media post following the announcement. The immediate reaction from within the FBI and from various stakeholders indicates that this appointment may lead to significant internal changes and potentially reshape the bureau’s relationship with other government entities and the public.