WH: ‘A Lot of People’ Should Be ‘Very, Very Nervous’ About Bongino’s FBI Appointment
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a clear message to those in D.C. expressing concern over Dan Bongino’s selection as the new deputy director of the FBI.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the conservative personality would take on the high-profile role within federal law enforcement. Bongino, who previously served as a Secret Service special agent, is not currently part of the federal government.
During her daily press briefing, Leavitt made it clear that Bongino’s extensive credentials make him “very dangerous” in the eyes of Washington insiders when she was asked to address the appointment.
A reporter posed the question: “One other one on the FBI, the president also announced deputy director, Dan Bongino. From what’s been reported, and maybe this is not accurate, you can tell me, the FBI director, Kash Patel, informed Republican Senators it would be an individual named as deputy who was a special agent currently at the FBI, and of course, Mr. Bongino is not. What was the reason for naming Mr. Bongino for this position? Was Mr. Patel not correct in making this assurance to those senators?”
Leavitt responded by saying, “I’m not sure if anyone in this room has listened to Mr. Bongino when he talks about corruption at the FBI, when he talks about his experience in serving for the United States Secret Service. This is a man who loves his country and honorably served our country in ways that many have not.”
She went on to criticize the media, remarking, “He understands the depths of the corruption at these institutions, which the American people re-elected President Trump to shake up. And I think it is quite despicable to see many networks in this room who have had chyrons on their television screen labeling Mr. Bongino as a ‘far-right podcaster.’”
Continuing, she stated: “He is not. He is a former law enforcement agent, a former Secret Service agent who put his life on the line for this country, and that’s why the president has entrusted him in this important role. He’s also an outsider to this Washington swamp, and we often see when outsiders are appointed to such coveted positions, a lot of people in this city get very nervous and they should be. Because Dan Bongino, Dire4cto Patel, and Attorney General Bondi are focused on rooting out corruption at these agencies and ending the weaponization of government once and for all.”
WATCH:
Bongino addressed his audience with an emotional message on Monday morning, announcing that he would step away from political commentary.
The former Secret Service agent, now tapped as Deputy Director of the FBI under Director Kash Patel, told his listeners that his primary focus would now be on his new duties at the bureau. A longtime supporter of Trump, Bongino said he was “focused on getting to work.”
“It’s not going to be the last show, but we’ve only got a few more left with you,” Bongino told his viewers. “So, obviously, we’re going to be working with a team of people to make this transition from me, political commentator Dan, to Deputy Director of the FBI Dan.”
He acknowledged that the transition would be bittersweet, explaining: “Those are different roles that require different skills. Skills I have and have used before and I plan to use again. It’s going to hurt to leave you.”
Bongino reassured his audience that his family — including his wife and daughters, who have played an active role in managing his brand — would continue to create content even after his departure.
“The FBI belongs to the American people. It doesn’t belong to me. It doesn’t belong to anyone else but the American people. But this is the honor of a lifetime, and it’s a serious mission. And I plan on implementing that vision,” he concluded.
WATCH:
The official announcement came from Trump himself via a post on Truth Social, where the former president praised Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.”
In the Truth Social post, Trump wrote:
“Great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice! Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, by the man who will be the best ever Director, Kash Patel. Dan has a Masters Degree in Psychology from C.U.N.Y., and an MBA from Penn State. He was a member of the New York Police Department (New York’s Finest!), a highly respected Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, and is now one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country, something he is willing and prepared to give up in order to serve. Working with our great new United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Director Patel, Fairness, Justice, Law and Order will be brought back to America, and quickly. Congratulations Dan!”
Shortly after, Trump followed up with additional praise, noting:
“Another aspect of the life of Dan Bongino that I think is very important. He has a great wife, Paula, and two wonderful daughters who truly love their dad. What an incredible job Dan will do!!!”
Bongino also responded publicly on X (formerly Twitter), where he simply posted:
“Thank you Mr. President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”