On Sunday, President Donald Trump appointed former Fox News host and conservative commentator Dan Bongino as the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This decision follows his controversial choice of Kash Patel to lead the agency and marks a departure from the tradition of having a career agent in the deputy director position.
He announced the decision on his Truth Social platform. Trump described Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country,” and said his pick was “Great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice!”
In his announcement, Trump said Bongino—who has been a vocal Trump supporter—is “one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country,” and praised his willingness to “give [that] up to serve.”
Unlike FBI Director Kash Patel’s nomination, Bongino will not have to go through a Senate confirmation process.
According to the New York Times, Trump’s announcement was made just an hour after the F.B.I. Agents Association informed its members that Patel has privately told them that his deputy should be a career FBI agent—in line with tradition.
The association, which congratulated Patel after his confirmation last week, has not commented on Trump’s announcement, but the Times report added that the move has intensified “mistrust among the rank-and-file” at the FBI.
Bongino shared a screenshot of Trump’s announcement on X and wrote: “Thank you, Mr. President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”