Dan Bongino, the current deputy director of the FBI, will be leaving that job soon. All signs point to him making this move early in the new year. Former President Donald Trump took credit for breaking the news. In an interview about the appointment, he praised Bongino for “doing a great job” while in office.
Sources close to Bongino indicate that he has expressed a desire to return to his previous role as a media personality. After years of public service, he seems ready to move for the real, going back to television and radio where his gifts first flourished. I think Bongino’s just itching to get back on his show. That suggests broader ambitions underneath the deputy director’s law enforcement resume.
In May, Bongino went on Fox News with an emotional outburst. He choked up as he talked about what he lost personally in order to take the risk of becoming an FBI whistleblower. His emotional state is an indication of the personal toll that his position has taken on him. Being based in Washington, D.C., nearly a thousand miles from his now-impoverished ex-wife, only compounds his burdens. The challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities appear pressing for Bongino, who has faced scrutiny for his public statements.
Bongino has become well known for constantly advancing conspiracy theories about a deep state cabal to destroy Trump. In 2018, he boldly stated: “My entire life right now is about owning the libs,” emphasizing his political stance and commitment to conservative values.
Provided Bongino understands that he should leave the FBI. He has allegedly let it be known to close confidants that he intends to resign. In a dismissive response to speculation about his future, he remarked, “Print whatever you’d like. No one believes you anyway. Thanks.”
Bongino’s tenure has largely been a circus, given that Bongino’s ego and public persona usually take precedence over his actual job conducting oversight. Despite his achievements and responsibilities within the FBI, it appears that he wishes to shift focus back to media pursuits where he has previously found success.