Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is set to make a decision about his future with the bureau over the next several weeks, according to two sources who are close to the situation have revealed. Rumors have been swirling that Bongino’s office at the FBI is currently empty, however, sources say this isn’t true, going on to say that his leaving the bureau in the near future is a real possibility.
The original reporting on this came from Fox News. One source confirmed to it that Bongino has yet to make any final decisions concerning his future. The former Fox News contributor’s time at the FBI has come under heavy criticism over the last several weeks, along with his boss, FBI Director Kash Patel. Earlier in December, a report from active-duty and retired bureau personnel have stated that under current leadership, the FBI lacks direction.
Both Bongino and Patel have denied these accusations, coming out swinging for the fences in defense of reforms they say have increased accountability and public safety. “When the director and I moved forward with these reforms, we expected some noise from the small circle of disgruntled former agents still loyal to the old Comey–Wray model,” Bongino said during an interview.
“That was never our audience. Our responsibility is to the American people. And under the new leadership team, the bureau is delivering results this country hasn’t seen in decades — tighter accountability, tougher performance standards, billions saved and a mission-first culture. That’s how you restore trust,” he added, according to Fox News.
Miranda Devine, a columnist for the New York Post and Fox News contributor, stated last week that a 115-page internal memo from both active-duty and retired agents slammed Patel and Bongino for the work they have done since coming into their roles with the bureau earlier this year.
Bongino fired back at the report, saying that Devine “loves attacking our reform agenda with gossipy anecdotes from disgruntled former employees because she’s upset that her ‘reporting’ keeps falling apart under scrutiny.” He then posted on X, “You can always count on Miranda for a timed hit piece when the Director and I make big changes. Miranda prefers the old-guard. I don’t. Full steam ahead.”
The Fox News report in question came out after a recent announcement from Bongino about the FBI bringing down a stunning 449 child predators which resulted in the rescue of 224 children, all during his first three months serving as deputy director. Several political analysts have stated that what Bongino decides to do next could be a key factor in whether or not the reform agenda moves forward or faces increased resistance from within.
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One of the accusations made against the two FBI leaders in the report ripped into them for a supposed lack of leadership experience, along with an “obsession” with social media. Bongino himself was referred to as a “clown” in the report. Just a month ago, a story was published claiming that Patel was going to be fired from the director position. However, the White House denied the report.
According to ABC3340, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the rumors by saying, “This story is completely made up.” Watch as Bongino skewers the media for reporting on him below:
Featured image: screenshot from embedded video