Dan Bongino, a former New York City police officer and Secret Service agent, has been appointed as the next deputy director of the F.B.I., as announced by President Trump on Sunday night.
President Trump shared the news on his social media platform, stating that the newly appointed F.B.I. director, Kash Patel, had selected Bongino for the second-in-command position at the agency. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation, allowing two loyalists of Trump to occupy key roles in an agency traditionally known for its independence.
The announcement followed a communication from the F.B.I. Agents Association, which indicated that Patel had privately acknowledged the preference for the next deputy director to be an F.B.I. agent, heightening concerns among the agency's personnel.
The F.B.I. did not provide a comment regarding the announcement.
Historically, F.B.I. directors have appointed senior agents with substantial experience to manage the bureau's operations, a role that necessitates collaboration with international partners and handling sensitive investigations. Bongino's selection marks a significant deviation from this practice, raising concerns about the oversight of the agency's extensive surveillance and investigative capabilities.
The combination of Patel and Bongino represents the least experienced leadership team in the F.B.I.'s history, which is typically insulated from political influence. Their leadership is expected to be characterized by a history of disseminating misinformation and engaging in partisan politics.
Bongino has previously expressed a strong anti-establishment sentiment, stating in 2018 that his focus was on opposing liberal policies. His rise to this position occurs amid significant changes within the agency, as the Justice Department has removed several senior executives with extensive experience.
The future of interim leaders Brian Driscoll and Robert C. Kissane, who served as acting director and deputy director, respectively, remains uncertain. Their refusal to comply with the Justice Department's request for names of personnel involved in the investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack has garnered them internal support.
In an internal newsletter prior to the announcement, Natalie Bara, head of the F.B.I. Agents Association, emphasized the importance of selecting a deputy director from within the ranks of active special agents, a practice upheld for over a century.
While Patel reportedly favored Bongino for the deputy position, it is unclear if Trump also influenced this decision. Bongino previously ran for office three times before gaining fame as a right-wing commentator and left Fox News in 2023.
His controversial commentary has included claims regarding the 2020 election and the effectiveness of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions about the F.B.I.'s credibility under his leadership.
In a message to the F.B.I. following his confirmation, Patel assured agency personnel of his support, stating, “I will always have your backs, because you have the backs of the American people.”