Dan Bongino Exits from FBI No. 2 Post Amid Bureau Tensions

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After a turbulent tenure that broke with FBI tradition, Trump says Bongino may return to media as leadership rifts and morale concerns grip the Bureau

By TRH World Desk

New Delhi, December 18, 2025 — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that Dan Bongino’s controversial stint as the FBI’s second-in-command may be nearing its end, telling reporters, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.”

Bongino—a former New York City police officer, ex–Secret Service agent and prominent right-wing podcaster—was an unconventional choice for the FBI’s deputy director role. His appointment had faced a blowback, as it was a position historically reserved for senior career agents who rose through the Bureau’s ranks.

His appointment, backed by Trump, triggered unease within the FBI. It drew open objections from the FBI Agents Association, which represents about 14,000 mostly serving agents.

The association’s opposition was sharpened by earlier assurances from FBI Director Kash Patel that the post would be filled by a career professional, not a political appointee. Bongino’s elevation instead became a symbol of the broader churn inside the Bureau, where debates over politicisation, independence and institutional trust have intensified in recent years.

Since 2016, the FBI has faced sustained pressure—from accusations of partisan bias to clashes with successive administrations over investigations, surveillance powers and public credibility. The leadership transition under Trump-era allies reopened those fault lines, with critics warning that the Bureau’s apolitical ethos was being tested.

Bongino, however, struck a conciliatory tone in his farewell-style message on X. “I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” he wrote, referring to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Patel. Supporters credit him with bringing an outsider’s urgency to the role; detractors argue his media profile and ideological leanings deepened internal distrust.

Trump’s remark now fuels speculation that Bongino may return to conservative broadcasting, where he built a large following. His exit would underscore the difficulty of reconciling political loyalty with the FBI’s long-standing culture—and signal that the Bureau’s internal tensions remain far from resolved.