Former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino, has publicly stated his apprehension regarding potential political retaliation and legal repercussions following his departure from the federal agency. Bongino, who recently returned to public media, also outlined what he characterized as a pervasive culture of internal leaks and distrust within the bureau during his tenure. These remarks were made during an interview with Sean Hannity, where Bongino suggested that powerful figures, potentially angered by recent reforms and investigations, might now target him given his lack of official government protection.
"I know what I did, I’m proud of my work… they’re going to come for me." — Dan Bongino, Former Deputy Director of the FBI.
Bongino's concerns extend to possible attempts to damage his reputation or even initiate criminal proceedings against him. He indicated he "would not be surprised if opponents tried to see him behind bars," according to The Hill. He linked these fears to what he perceived as significant resistance from within federal institutions. Bongino posited that the FBI was internally divided into two groups: one comprising career agents dedicated to major criminal cases, and another, in his view, actively resisting internal reform efforts. He described this latter group in stark terms, stating, "And then you had this other FBI which were — which was populated with, to say, unfortunately, snakes is being nice."
The uncertainty surrounding who could be trusted within the bureau made his work challenging, Bongino explained. He recalled instances where he and FBI Director Kash Patel sometimes sought recommendations from external allies to identify dependable personnel. However, even these efforts were not always successful, as internal information occasionally surfaced in media reports. Bongino recounted, "Sometimes they would get it wrong too. It happened a couple times where they’d say ‘Oh, you can trust John Smith,’ right? And you trust John Smith, and then a week later, you see like a leak in the media, and you’d be like, I’m pretty sure that came from John Smith."
To counter suspected leaks, Bongino described employing a strategy of selectively sharing minor and non-sensitive information about his movements or schedule. He would then monitor public disclosures to ascertain if those specific details appeared, a practice intended to narrow down potential sources of unauthorized information. "So, it was like we would play this — we had to play this little game," he told Hannity. He emphasized that working within the FBI demanded constant judgment calls regarding trust and information control, particularly in an environment where he believed internal divisions complicated decision-making. These dynamics, he noted, represented one of the most difficult aspects of his time at the bureau.
Bongino's departure from the FBI earlier this year reportedly occurred amidst disagreements with former Attorney General Pam Bondi concerning the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Upon leaving government service, he quickly re-established his presence in political media, resuming his daily show on Rumble and rejoining Fox News as a contributor, as noted by the Washington Examiner. Through these platforms, he has continued to voice concerns about federal law enforcement culture and internal accountability, framing his personal experiences as part of a broader dispute over institutional reform and transparency.
His recent comments are anticipated to contribute to ongoing public and political discourse regarding the FBI’s internal operations, leadership direction, and the broader issue of public trust in federal agencies. Supporters of Bongino's account view his narrative as highlighting systemic problems within the FBI that necessitate urgent attention and reform. Conversely, critics tend to argue that his claims lack sufficient verification and may be driven by political motivations, suggesting a need for caution when evaluating such assertions.
