White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sent a strong message to people in Washington worried about Dan Bongino’s appointment as deputy director of the FBI.
President Donald Trump picked the conservative commentator to lead the federal law enforcement agency on Sunday. He or she used to work as a special agent for the Secret Service and is not part of the federal government.
During her press briefing, Leavitt said that his accolades make him very dangerous when asked about his appointment.
A reporter asked, “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?”
“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,” Leavitt began.
“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,’” Leavitt added.
She continued, “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 told his listeners in an emotional message on Monday morning that he will no longer be commenting on politics.
Bongino has been chosen to be the Deputy Director of the FBI under the new Director, Kash Patel. Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and a strong supporter of Trump, said he was “focused on getting to work” at the bureau.
“It’s not going to be the last show, but we’ve only got a few more left with you,” Bongino told 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.”
“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,” he explained.
Bongino told his fans that his leaving wouldn’t change the content that his wife and daughters make, since they have been very involved in managing his brand.
“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,” Bongino finished.
WATCH:
Trump made the announcement on Sunday night in a Truth Social post, calling Bongino “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.”
Trump posted the announcement on his Truth Social account: “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!”
Later, Trump added: “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!!!”
On X, Bongino responded, simply writing, “Thank you Mr. President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”