US President Donald Trump has appointed right-wing commentator and former law enforcement officer Dan Bongino as the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bongino will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel, marking a notable shift in the leadership of one of the nation’s most critical law enforcement agencies.
Announcing the decision on social media, Trump described Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.” Bongino responded with gratitude, posting on X: “Thank you Mr. President, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel.”
Bongino, 50, brings with him a diverse background that includes time in the New York Police Department (NYPD), the US Secret Service, and years as a conservative media personality. His appointment signals potential policy and operational changes within the FBI under the new administration.
From Queens to public service: The early years
Dan Bongino was born on December 4, 1974, in Queens, New York City, growing up in a working-class family. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School, a Catholic institution in Jamaica, Queens, before pursuing higher education at Queens College, City University of New York. There, he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology. Seeking to expand his academic credentials, Bongino later obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Pennsylvania State University.
Walking the beat: NYPD and Secret Service career
Bongino’s journey into law enforcement began in 1995 when he joined the NYPD. His tenure lasted until 1999, during which he gained crucial experience in urban policing.
In 1999, he transitioned to the US Secret Service, where he served as a special agent. Initially assigned to the New York Field Office, Bongino later joined the elite Presidential Protection Division, where he worked under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
During his Secret Service career, Bongino also became an instructor at the Secret Service Training Academy in Beltsville, Maryland, in 2002. His time in the agency was marked by high-profile security assignments, investigative work, and leadership roles. He eventually left the Secret Service in 2011 to pursue a new career path in politics and media.
From politics to the airwaves: Bongino’s rise in conservative media
Bongino entered the political arena in 2012, running as a Republican candidate for the US Senate in Maryland. Though he won the primary, he was defeated in the general election. He later ran for Congress in 2014 and 2016, but both bids were unsuccessful. Despite these electoral setbacks, Bongino built a loyal following among conservative voters and media audiences.
Leveraging his political experience and law enforcement background, Bongino transitioned into media, becoming a prominent conservative commentator. He authored books such as Life Inside the Bubble and The Fight, which offered insight into his experiences in the Secret Service and his perspectives on national security and politics.
His media career took off with The Dan Bongino Show, a podcast that became one of the most popular political programs in the United States. Additionally, he hosted a syndicated radio show and frequently appeared on Fox News, further solidifying his reputation as a vocal advocate for conservative values and law enforcement.
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