In a stunning departure from decades of FBI tradition, Deputy Director Dan Bongino—a former Secret Service agent turned pro-Trump podcaster has prompted the bureau to issue an urgent call for agents to volunteer as his bodyguards.
This move, confirmed by two current and two former FBI officials, marks a radical shift from past practices where the bureau’s second-in-command typically operated without a dedicated security detail.
The decision has ignited fierce debate, with critics questioning the necessity, cost, and motives behind Bongino’s protection, especially given his controversial background and the FBI’s stated priorities under Director Kash Patel.
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Why Does Dan Bongino Need Bodyguards?
Historically, the FBI’s deputy director—a role traditionally filled by career agents—has not required a full-time security detail.
Paul Abbate, the previous deputy director, relied on a single part-time agent for specific events and carried his service weapon, a practice rooted in the bureau’s culture of self-reliance among its top brass.
Overseas travel warranted a temporary detail, but within the U.S., Abbate and his predecessors managed without the constant presence of armed escorts.
Even within the secure confines of FBI headquarters, deputy directors moved freely, unencumbered by bodyguards.
Enter Dan Bongino, the first deputy director in FBI history who isn’t a career agent.
Appointed by President Donald Trump, Bongino brings a unique resume: a former New York police officer, Secret Service agent, and a wealthy conservative media personality known for his fiery criticism of the FBI.
For years, Bongino lambasted the bureau on his popular podcast, accusing it of overreach and bias—rhetoric that made him a polarizing figure long before his appointment.
Now, in a twist of irony, he’s relying on the very agency he once vilified to shield him from unspecified threats.
Last week, the FBI sent out a “canvass”—an internal memo—asking agents to volunteer for 30-day temporary duty assignments (TDYs) to protect Bongino around the clock.
According to two former officials familiar with security protocols, this rotating detail could require up to 20 agents to ensure 24/7 coverage.
The request has raised eyebrows, not least because it contradicts one of Director Kash Patel’s flagship initiatives: redeploying agents from headquarters to field offices to combat crime more effectively.
Pulling agents from their regular duties to guard Bongino seems to fly in the face of that mission, fueling accusations of hypocrisy and misuse of resources.
The Cost to Taxpayers: A Growing Controversy
The financial implications of Bongino’s security detail are staggering.
Protecting a high-ranking official isn’t cheap—salaries, travel expenses, overtime, and logistical support add up quickly.
Frank Figliuzzi, a former senior FBI official and NBC News contributor, didn’t mince words when he called the decision “ridiculous.”
He argued that Bongino, with his law enforcement background, could easily qualify to carry a firearm through the FBI’s standard process, just as past deputy directors have done.
“Of course he could carry,” Figliuzzi said.
“The question is, what is the actual risk and threat here, or does he just want a detail? This is taxpayer money we’re talking about.”
The strain on FBI manpower is another sore point.
Staffing protective details have long been a challenge for the bureau, with the director and attorney general’s teams often relying on temporary agents pulled from field offices.
These TDYs frequently tap specialized units like SWAT teams or the elite Hostage Rescue Team—operatives trained for high-stakes missions, not babysitting duties.
Diverting such talent to guard Bongino, especially for what some see as a vanity project, has left insiders fuming.
“The director and AG detail were always struggling to bring in personnel,” a former official noted.
“Now you’re adding another layer of demand for no clear reason.”
Inside FBI Headquarters: Bodyguards in a Secure Zone?
Perhaps the most bizarre detail is where Bongino’s bodyguards are going.
Two former officials revealed that his security team has accompanied him inside secure FBI facilities, including the Washington, D.C., headquarters—a highly unusual practice.
Directors typically shed their details within these fortified walls, relying on the building’s inherent security.
Bongino’s decision to keep his entourage close even in such environments has sparked speculation.
Is this about real danger, or is it a power play by a man unaccustomed to the bureau’s norms?
Bongino’s defenders might argue that his high-profile status as a Trump ally and media firebrand makes him a target.
His years of provocative commentary could have earned him enemies, and his new role amplifies his visibility.
Yet no public evidence of a specific threat has emerged.
Without a clear justification, critics see this as an ego-driven overreach, especially since Bongino could opt for the simpler, cheaper solution of carrying a gun himself.
Bongino’s Pledge: Nonpartisan Leadership Amid Skepticism
Bongino has tried to quell the backlash, taking to X on Sunday to reaffirm his commitment to the job.
“I realized when I signed up that I’d never be able to fully explain some decisions we make due to legal and ethical constraints,” he wrote.
“But that’s a pill I agreed to swallow when I swore in.”
He urged the public to “watch what happens” and let time reveal the bigger picture, cautioning against “narrative traps.”
It’s a plea for trust from a man who spent years eroding faith in the very institution he now helps lead—a tough sell for many.
His appointment came with a promise to act in a nonpartisan manner, a pledge that’s hard to reconcile with his past.
As deputy director, Bongino oversees three regional divisions under Patel’s reorganized structure, a shift from the traditional role of managing all FBI operations.
It’s a significant responsibility, but his lack of insider experience and reliance on a security detail have fueled doubts about his ability to navigate the bureau’s complex culture.
How Past Leaders Handled Security
The contrast with past FBI leaders is stark.
Louis Freeh, director from 1993 to 2001 and a former agent, famously carried his weapon rather than lean on a full detail.
Deputy directors like Abbate followed suit, embodying an ethos of self-sufficiency.
Even the FBI director, a position often held by non-agents gets a detail, as does the attorney general, but those roles come with broader public exposure and established threats.
Bongino’s situation feels like an outlier, blending political celebrity with bureaucratic privilege in a way the bureau hasn’t seen before.
The Bigger Picture: Patel’s Vision Under Scrutiny
This controversy lands at a delicate moment for the FBI.
Director Kash Patel, another Trump appointee, has vowed to shake up the agency, emphasizing field work over desk jobs.
Yet here’s his deputy, pulling agents away from the streets to shadow him—a move that risks undermining Patel’s credibility.
The optics are terrible: an administration promising efficiency and toughness now faces accusations of wasting resources on what some call a “VIP protection racket.”
The timing couldn’t be worse.
With the Trump administration already juggling tariff debates and legal battles—like Maine’s lawsuit over transgender athlete funding—the FBI’s internal drama adds fuel to the fire.
Every dollar spent on Bongino’s detail is a dollar not spent on fighting crime, a point Figliuzzi and others are quick to hammer home.
What’s Next: Will the Public Get Answers?
For now, the FBI remains tight-lipped, leaving the public to speculate.
Is Bongino genuinely at risk, or is this a perk he’s leveraging as a political appointee?
Will Patel step in to clarify, or will this quietly balloon into a bigger scandal?
Bongino’s X post suggests he’s bracing for more scrutiny, but his cryptic “trust me” approach isn’t likely to win over skeptics.
Dan Bongino’s security detail isn’t just a logistical headache—it’s a lightning rod for broader questions about leadership, accountability, and the politicization of America’s top law enforcement agency.
Taxpayers deserve transparency, and agents deserve a mission that matches the FBI’s core purpose.
Until then, this unprecedented move will keep tongues wagging and headlines blazing.
For more updates, stay tuned with CTC News
