Bongino’s Sudden Exit from FBI Fuels Speculation Over Agency Turmoil and Trump Loyalty
WASHINGTON — Dan Bongino, the former conservative podcaster elevated to deputy FBI director by President Donald Trump, is set to depart the bureau early next year, Trump confirmed Friday, marking a swift end to one of the administration’s most controversial appointments.
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned media commentator known for promoting conspiracy theories, told confidants he plans no return to FBI headquarters this month, with a tentative announcement slated for Dec. 19, according to reports from MSNBC and other outlets. Trump praised Bongino’s performance, suggesting he wishes to resume his lucrative broadcasting career.
The departure comes amid mounting scrutiny of the FBI under Director Kash Patel, another Trump loyalist criticized for prioritizing political alignment over institutional norms. Bongino’s tenure, barely a year old, highlighted tensions between the bureau’s traditional fact-based mandate and the administration’s demands for loyalty.
In a recent Fox News appearance, Bongino acknowledged his past as an opinion-driven commentator: “I was paid in the past for my opinions… That’s not what I’m paid for now.” The remark underscored discomfort with the role’s constraints, particularly after years building wealth through provocative claims on platforms like his podcast, which often questioned official narratives on topics from elections to Jan. 6.
Critics argue Bongino’s exit reflects the limits of placing media figures in law enforcement leadership. His promotion drew immediate backlash for lacking senior investigative experience, with detractors warning it politicized the FBI. Supporters viewed him as a counter to perceived “deep state” bias.
Bongino’s resignation coincides with broader agency upheaval. Reports indicate internal friction over handling sensitive investigations, including Epstein-related files, where transparency demands clash with administration caution. Trump’s allies have faced accusations of selective enforcement, fueling perceptions of eroded independence.
The move also spotlights Trump’s pattern of rapid personnel churn. Elevating outsiders like Bongino and Patel signaled a purge of perceived disloyalists, but departures suggest even loyalists struggle with the role’s demands. Analysts note Bongino may return to media, where his audience – millions across podcasts and social platforms – awaits.
Politically, the timing raises questions ahead of midterms. With economic headwinds – inflation concerns topping voter worries – and GOP fractures evident in recent polls, personnel instability at key agencies risks amplifying narratives of chaos.
Bongino’s exit leaves the deputy director position vacant at a pivotal moment, as the FBI navigates high-profile cases and congressional oversight. Trump’s confirmation – “Dan did a great job… I think he wants to go back to his show” – frames it amicably, but underscores the revolving door between his administration and conservative media.
As Bongino prepares to depart, the episode encapsulates Trump’s FBI remake: bold, polarizing, and ultimately transient for some of its most visible figures.
