Dan Bongino: From Secret Service to FBI Leader – and Why He May Quit

Dan Bongino is a name many people know from TV, podcasts, and politics. He used to protect U.S. presidents. Then he became a famous voice in conservative media. Now, in 2025, he holds a big job in the FBI. But after a major fight in the White House, Bongino may be ready to leave his role. Here’s everything you need to know.

A Look at Dan Bongino’s Past

Dan Bongino was born in New York in 1974. He started his career as a police officer with the New York Police Department (NYPD) in the 1990s. Later, he joined the Secret Service. This agency protects top leaders in the U.S., including the president.

Bongino worked on the Secret Service’s elite presidential protection team. He helped guard both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. After more than 10 years in the agency, he left in 2011.

Bongino Enters the Media World

After leaving the Secret Service, Bongino started writing books and talking about politics. His books included “Life Inside the Bubble” and “Spygate.” These focused on what he called secrets inside government and alleged plots against Donald Trump.

He quickly became a favorite in the conservative media world. He appeared on Fox News, spoke at political rallies, and hosted The Dan Bongino Show, a podcast and video show watched by millions.

His strong opinions and loyalty to former President Donald Trump made him popular with MAGA supporters. Bongino often talked about topics like government “deep state,” media lies, and conspiracy theories.

Joining the FBI – A Big Shift

In March 2025, something surprising happened. Bongino was named Deputy Director of the FBI. He was second-in-command, just below the new FBI Director, Kash Patel, another Trump loyalist.

This move shocked many people. Bongino had no previous FBI experience. He had also criticized the FBI in the past. But Trump, now back in the White House, trusted him. The goal, supporters said, was to clean up the FBI and remove “corruption.”

Critics, however, worried this was too political. They said putting media figures in charge of law enforcement could be dangerous.

The Epstein File Fight

In July 2025, Bongino got into a major fight with Attorney General Pam Bondi. The topic was Jeffrey Epstein, the man linked to many rich and powerful people who died in jail in 2019.

For years, people like Bongino had pushed for the government to release secret files about Epstein. Many believed there was a hidden list of people involved in Epstein’s crimes.

The Trump administration had promised to release all the files. But when Bondi finally shared them, they were missing key parts. Most importantly, a “client list” people expected to see was not there. A video from Epstein’s jail cell was also missing a full minute of footage.

This caused a storm online and in government. Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel were angry. They had supported full release of the files. According to reports, Bongino screamed at Bondi in the West Wing and then skipped work the next day.

Is Bongino Quitting?

After the fight, people close to Bongino said he was thinking about quitting. He felt betrayed and embarrassed. MAGA influencers like Laura Loomer claimed Bongino was “done” and would not return to his FBI role.

Others say he is just taking time to cool down. The Department of Justice says he is still in his job, but hasn’t made public comments since the incident.

If Bongino leaves, it could be a sign of deeper problems inside the Trump White House. It also shows how hard it can be to balance politics and government work.

From Conspiracies to Truth?

Some people are also angry at Bongino for changing his view on the Epstein case. For years, he said there was a huge cover-up. But after joining the FBI, he agreed with the agency’s past findings: that Epstein died by suicide and that there was no clear client list.

His critics say he turned his back on the truth. Others believe he simply saw new evidence in his role and changed his mind.

This has caused a split in his support base. Some still defend him. Others feel let down.

Why It Matters

Dan Bongino’s story is not just about one man. It’s about trust, power, and the way politics and media work together. He went from guarding presidents to talking on the radio, to running one of the most powerful law enforcement agencies in the world.

His fight with Bondi and possible resignation show that even those who seem close politically can have big differences. It also reminds us how important transparency is — especially with cases as serious as Epstein’s.

What’s Next?

We don’t know yet if Bongino will leave the FBI. If he does, it will raise big questions for the Trump administration. Can they keep loyalty and also tell the full truth? Can media figures work well in serious government roles?

For now, Bongino remains one of the most interesting — and controversial — figures in U.S. politics.

This article was written for general readers. It uses simple language to help everyone understand current events. All information is based on public news sources as of July 2025.