FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino have promised to bring change to what they have called a broken institution.
Bongino took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday night to provide an update on the FBI and what might be coming next.
“Headed back to DC today after spending a day back home with my wife and daughter. As I dive back into work, I want to reassure you that nothing that is happening here is happening by accident. Because of the sensitivity of what the FBI deals with, both the Director and I have to be circumspect in what we can make public. Bad guys read this stuff too. Neither one of us came here to play games,” Bongino wrote.
“Measure us by results. You will see them. But just because you don’t see something happening right this second, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I’ll conclude by stating that not every result is going to please everyone. That’s just pandering, it’s not leadership. Complex problems require diligence and a reform-oriented process to create lasting changes. Or else you’re simply putting a bandage on a gushing wound. Let’s do it right. God bless America, and all those who defend Her,” he added.
In a second tweet, Bognino declared, “I’d like to add this: Your comments and criticisms are not only welcome, but they’re helpful. We work for you, the American people. Your feedback is invaluable. All I ask is that you consider the following feedback to the feedback. When you see something happen, and the entire story isn’t public, and the underlying facts aren’t all public, it may appear counterintuitive to our reform agenda.”
“I promise you, it’s not an accident. Ask yourself, why I would sign on to something like this otherwise. Is it a desire to be wealthy, famous, ‘connected,’ or to be a future lobbyist? If that sounds ridiculous, it’s because it is,” Bongino said.
“I realized when I signed up that I’d never be able to fully explain some decisions we make due to legal and ethical constraints. But that’s a pill I agreed to swallow when I swore in. In conclusion, I realize asking you to “trust me” is a waste of time. Watch what happens, continue to demand results, be cautious of narrative “traps,” let time put the puzzle pieces together, and what we’re doing will make sense. I see and hear you and your feedback. Thanks for your time,” he concluded.
In FBI Director Kash Patel’s first full month in charge, the bureau has received a record number of applications for new agents. The number of people looking for jobs in law enforcement has more than doubled the monthly average since 2016.
Fox News Digital reported that 5,577 new applications for FBI agents were sent in March. The last time that number was even close to that in a month was April 2016, when 5,283 applications came in.
According to FBI data looked at by Fox News Digital, the average number of applications per month in 2023 was 2,797, and the average number of applications per month in 2024 was 3,383.
Records from the FBI show that since January, they have received more than 10,000 applications for new agents.
The FBI got 4,143 applications to join in January, the first month of the Trump administration and the month of Patel’s nomination and confirmation hearing. This was the first month since August 2020 that the FBI got that many applications for a new agent.
Patel and Bongino have put a big effort into hiring new agents and boosting morale among police officers by “letting good cops be cops.” This is why there are a record number of applications.
In March, Patel put out an FBI recruitment video that showed the director working with agents in the field and displaying footage from the hostage rescue team facility that asked people to join the team.
The video ends with a graphic showing the FBI seal and the words, “A renewed mission. A stronger future.”