Trump names podcast star, Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director

US President Donald Trump has appointed conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino as the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The announcement was made via Trump’s social media platform, where he described Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country” and expressed confidence in his ability to serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel.

Bongino, 50, brings a law enforcement background to the role, having served as a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer before joining the Secret Service, where he was part of the protective detail for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. However, in recent years, he has gained prominence as a vocal right-wing media figure, hosting The Dan Bongino Show, a widely followed podcast that often outperforms major news networks such as Fox News and CNN in online engagement.

Following the announcement, Bongino took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude, writing: “Thank you Mr. President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.” Trump, in his statement, emphasized Bongino’s commitment to the role, noting that he was “willing and prepared to give up” his podcast to serve in the FBI. The president added that Bongino would help restore “Fairness, Justice, Law, and Order” in America and predicted that he would do an “incredible job” at the bureau.

Bongino, who has made three unsuccessful bids for Congress, has long been a staunch Trump ally. During the 2024 election campaign, he hosted Trump on his daily show, where he frequently amplified the former president’s messaging. Recent episodes of his podcast include titles such as “Trump Keeps Delivering And The Libs Are Seething” and “The Only People Who Love Crime Are Criminals!!!” In a 2018 interview, Bongino openly stated: “My life is all about owning the libs now.” His combative approach on social media has led to heated exchanges, including a long-running feud with horror novelist Stephen King.

His new boss, FBI Director Kash Patel, was confirmed by the Senate last week after a contentious nomination process. Patel, a former prosecutor and close Trump ally, has been a vocal critic of the agency he now leads. His appointment raised concerns among Democrats, who warned that he could use the bureau to target Trump’s political opponents—an allegation Patel has denied, instead vowing to “rebuild” the FBI.