9 Things to Know About Dan Bongino, Trump’s Surprising Pick for FBI Deputy Director

Was the idea of Kash Patel as FBI director worrying to you? On Sunday night, Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he has chosen Dan Bongino as the next deputy director of the FBI.

Dan Bongino is known for his conservative podcasts and for promoting conspiracy theories. He has also worked as a host on Fox News and NRA TV. Before that, he was an NYPD officer and a US Secret Service agent, but he has never worked in the FBI.

Usually, the deputy director of the FBI is someone who has worked there for a long time, as NBC News reporter Ken Dilanian mentioned on Twitter. This person is supposed to manage the everyday work of the FBI.

Liberal commentator Josh Marshall tweeted on Sunday: “The clearest thing you can say about Dan Bongino is that he makes Kash Patel look moderately well qualified.”

So, how extreme is Dan Bongino? Here are nine things you need to know about why his choice for FBI deputy director is considered very unusual in modern US history:

Describing Dan Bongino simply as a conservative or a MAGA supporter doesn’t fully capture his approach. In his own words from 2018, Bongino stated, “My entire life right now is about owning the libs. That’s it.” This quote highlights his focus on directly opposing liberal viewpoints as a central aspect of his public persona.

2. Dan Bongino, a far-right podcaster, has expressed strong criticism of the FBI. In 2023, he tweeted, “The FBI is no longer a law enforcement entity. It is an oppo research firm for Democrats with an armed political enforcement branch.” He has also stated his desire to “disband the FBI” and referred to it as the “deep state, left wing FBI.” Last year, he further emphasized his distrust by saying, “I don’t trust these people at all.

3. Dan Bongino is known for his confrontational style, often using harsh and sometimes immature language against his political opponents. His Twitter feed features numerous posts where he calls various members of Congress and journalists derogatory names such as “pussy,” “fucking moron,” and “dumb piece of shit.”

4. Dan Bongino was permanently banned from YouTube in 2022 after he attempted to get around a previous suspension on his account. This suspension was initially given because he posted a video questioning the effectiveness of using masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Bongino has also referred to masks disparagingly as “face diapers.”