In a move that broke with longstanding FBI tradition, President Donald Trump appointed conservative media personality and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in February 2025. The appointment was formalized on February 23, with Bongino assuming the role on March 17 under FBI Director Kash Patel.
Bongino, who served with the New York City Police Department from 1995 to 1999 and spent 12 years in the U.S. Secret Service on protective details and financial crime investigations, entered the position as a prominent outsider. Best known for hosting “The Dan Bongino Show,” where he sharply criticized the intelligence community and alleged political bias within federal agencies, his selection signaled the Trump administration’s push for sweeping changes at the bureau.
Supporters praised the appointment as a necessary step to restore public trust in the FBI following years of controversy tied to the 2016 election, Russia investigations, and other high-profile matters. Proponents argued that Bongino’s external perspective would help refocus the agency on core priorities including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and combating violent crime, while addressing entrenched bureaucracy.
Critics, however, expressed deep reservations. Democratic lawmakers including Reps. Adam Schiff and Bennie Thompson voiced concerns that Bongino’s past rhetoric could politicize the bureau, undermine its reputation for impartiality, and harm morale among career agents. The appointment unfolded against a backdrop of lingering tensions from the prior administration, including preemptive pardons issued to members of the House January 6 Select Committee.
During his less-than-a-year tenure, Bongino oversaw daily operations and initiated reviews of certain past investigations. In December 2025, he announced his resignation effective January 2026, citing a desire to return to media work. He described some internal findings as surprising, though many details remained undisclosed. The FBI later named veteran career agent Christopher Raia as his successor.
Bongino’s short stint has intensified national debates over the balance between political accountability and the operational independence of federal law enforcement. His time in leadership underscored ongoing questions about qualifications for top bureau roles, the challenges of institutional reform, and efforts to rebuild public confidence in a deeply polarized environment.
