Who's the New Boss? Trump Picks Podcaster for FBI Deputy Director

In a surprising move, President Donald Trump announced that Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and right-wing podcaster, will take on the role of the next FBI deputy director. This choice is a departure from the norm, as the position is typically held by a career FBI agent. The decision comes after a tense weeklong standoff between interim FBI leadership and Emil Bove, the acting deputy attorney general, over the release of FBI agent names involved in certain investigations. The selection of Bongino is seen as a response to the resistance shown by Robert Kissane, the acting deputy director, and Brian Driscoll, the former acting director, to Bove’s demands. Initially, Kash Patel, the newly confirmed FBI Director, had indicated that Kissane would likely retain his position. However, the resistance to Bove’s demands changed the course of events. Trump highlighted Bongino’s extensive law enforcement background and his willingness to step away from his popular radio show and podcast, "The Dan Bongino Show, " to serve in this new role. Trump praised Bongino as a patriot with a deep love for the country, and he expressed confidence that, along with the new U. S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Director Patel, Bongino would bring fairness, justice, law, and order back to America. Bongino himself celebrated Patel’s confirmation on his show, hinting at significant changes ahead. Meanwhile, the FBI Agents Association welcomed Patel as the new director and outlined a collaborative path forward. The association emphasized the importance of having an agent in the deputy director role to support employees, especially during conflicts with other agencies. The FBI deputy director is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all FBI operations, coordinating investigations, and intelligence matters across the bureau’s 55 field offices. This role often involves being briefed on investigations early and knowing more about cases than the director. The choice of Bongino raises questions about the future direction of the FBI and how his background will influence the agency's operations. The FBI Agents Association had hoped for the next deputy director to be selected from within the organization, but Patel did not mention who his deputy would be during his first full day as director. This decision has left some wondering about the future leadership and the potential impact on the FBI’s operations and culture.