Meet the FBI’s New Deputy Director: Popular Podcaster Sparks Conversations on Agency Insights!

Dan Bongino, a well-known right-wing podcaster, has made his mark with bold rants against the media, Democrats, and the federal government. Now, this 50-year-old former New York police officer and Secret Service agent is taking on a new role: deputy FBI director, selected by former President Donald Trump. He shared this news recently, announcing he will step away from his daily podcast.

Despite lacking direct experience with the FBI, Bongino is known for his strong views on how the agency should operate. He has been a vocal supporter of Kash Patel, the new FBI director, and desires significant changes within the bureau. Bongino has called for removing individuals he sees as politically motivated and shifting FBI focus from domestic extremism to more pressing criminal cases.

Bongino has consistently praised Patel as the right leader for the FBI, stating on his podcast that he is uniquely qualified to “clean up the mess” and knows where the issues lie within the agency. He believes Patel is essential for restoring the FBI’s reputation and effectiveness.

Over the past year, Bongino has not held back in criticizing former FBI leaders. He has labeled Christopher Wray, Patel’s predecessor, as incompetent and has harsh words for others associated with controversial investigations, including those related to Trump. Bongino claims that previous leadership has neglected the FBI’s integrity by unfairly targeting conservatives.

His opinions extend to current FBI staff as well. For example, he recently called out FBI employees for allegedly leaking information about immigration raids, labeling them “stupid” and predicting their eventual capture.

Bongino is pushing for immediate changes at the FBI, arguing that the current Republican leadership in Congress might not last long. He wants quick reforms, including the dismissal of agents involved in politically charged investigations against Trump. He believes any agent who acted with partisan intent should not remain in their position.

He has also pointed out that the FBI is overly fixated on domestic intelligence and has missed significant threats. For Bongino, the focus should shift back to tackling serious crimes and dangers from abroad, rather than pursuing low-priority cases like those related to the January 6 insurrection.

Bongino’s connection to the FBI runs deep. As a teenager, he aspired to be an FBI agent and often recalls those early dreams. His past hopes for the agency add a personal touch to his calls for reform and restore its credibility, which he believes has been lost over time.