Dan Bongino, the pugnacious conservative commentator, is preparing to exit his role as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation after just nine months, signalling a swift return to the lucrative world of right-wing media.
A Swift Departure from Government Service
Bongino announced on Wednesday that he would leave his post next month. His appointment earlier this year was orchestrated by another pro-Maga figure, Kash Patel, who selected Bongino as his second-in-command at the FBI. The move pulled Bongino away from his nationally syndicated radio show and podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, which ended abruptly as a result.
Former President Donald Trump, to whom Bongino has closely aligned his career, hinted at the commentator's next move. "Dan did a great job," Trump told reporters. "I think he wants to go back to his show." This sentiment was echoed by Vince Coglianese, the conservative voice who replaced Bongino on the Westwood One radio schedule. Coglianese confirmed Bongino's impending return, noting he would retain his own midday slot.
Media Allies Predict a Powerful Comeback
Industry veterans believe Bongino's short government tenure will only bolster his credibility upon his return to the microphone. Eric Bolling, a fellow conservative media personality, told the Guardian that "having seen how the sausage is made from inside the administration only adds to his credibility." He predicted Bongino would re-enter the space he helped define and become one of the biggest voices in conservative podcasting.
However, the transition has not been without subtle criticism. Laura Ingraham, a former Fox News colleague, noted on her show, "He loved his lucrative media life and he wants to get back to it." Meanwhile, Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers Magazine, called the original FBI appointment "a terrible choice" but believed Bongino would return to media stronger for the experience.
Navigating Past Controversies and Future Prospects
Bongino's time at the FBI was not without friction with his own conservative base. He faced backlash for definitively stating that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, a position at odds with questions he had raised on his radio show in 2023.
Brian Rosenwald, an expert on talk radio, suggested Bongino would largely return to his previous style. "Realistically speaking, he is going to go back to doing exactly what he was doing before, because it worked for him," Rosenwald said. Bongino himself seemed to acknowledge the difference between his roles during a Fox News appearance, stating he was once paid for opinions but, as deputy director, investigations were based on facts.
Although his career was boosted at Fox News, a return there seems unlikely following his abrupt departure in April 2023, shortly after the network's settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. His trajectory underscores the revolving door between the conservative media ecosystem and Trump-aligned government roles, a path also taken by figures like Sebastian Gorka.
When contacted for comment on Bongino's return, Gorka directed his ire at the publication, stating: "The Guardian are scum. And you can quote me."
