FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is at the center of a raging controversy that’s set social media ablaze, with supporters and critics clashing over whether he’s the right man to stand with at the FBI. Appointed by President Donald Trump in February 2025, Bongino—a former Secret Service agent, NYPD officer, and fiery conservative podcaster—has sparked intense debate with his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case fallout. A recent DOJ memo, which Bongino reportedly signed off on, declared no further Epstein files would be released, dismissing claims of a “client list” or blackmail evidence. This has infuriated Trump’s base, with some on X calling him a “sellout” for abandoning his past conspiracy-driven rhetoric. So, do you proudly stand with Dan Bongino, or is he a lightning rod for distrust? Let’s dive into the chaos.
Bongino’s rise to the FBI’s No. 2 spot was a shock to many. Traditionally, the deputy director role goes to a career FBI agent with decades of experience, but Bongino, who has none, was tapped by new FBI Director Kash Patel, another Trump loyalist. Trump hailed him as a “warrior” with “incredible love and passion for our Country” on Truth Social, but critics like Senator Mazie Hirono have slammed him as unqualified, citing his past calls to “disband” the FBI and prosecute Democrats. X posts from accounts like @CalltoActivism have branded him a “fascist stooge” for suggesting Trump ignore court orders, while @ThePanicanKing accused him of failing to deliver on promises to arrest “Democrat criminals.”
The Epstein memo is the real flashpoint. Released in July 2025, it stated the FBI and DOJ found no evidence of an incriminating “client list” and confirmed Epstein’s 2019 death as suicide. Bongino, who once pushed theories about a government cover-up, reportedly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles over the memo’s rollout, with sources saying he stormed out of a heated meeting and skipped work the next day. Some X users, like @liz_churchill10, once cheered his “zero f@cks” attitude toward liberals, but now his own supporters are turning, with posts claiming he’s “lied to us all” by backing the memo. Rumors of his resignation swirled, though Deputy AG Todd Blanche insisted Bongino was fully aligned with the DOJ.
Bongino’s defenders argue he’s a patriot fighting to clean up a “corrupt” FBI. On X, he vowed to tackle “public corruption” and “CCP scheming,” earning praise from accounts like @bennyjohnson, who lauded his attacks on the “weak” Biden-era FBI. His law enforcement background—four years with the NYPD and 12 with the Secret Service, including protecting Presidents Bush and Obama—lends some credibility, but his lack of FBI experience fuels skepticism. Critics point to his history of spreading misinformation, from calling the 2020 election “stolen” to labeling masks “face diapers” during COVID. Avaaz named him a top “superspreader of election misinformation,” and YouTube banned him in 2022 for false COVID claims.
The FBI is in turmoil, with senior agents forced out and fears Trump is weaponizing the bureau against rivals. A chilling account from a former agent, Dominique Evans, claimed Bongino derailed her career over a friendship with someone on Patel’s “enemies list,” demanding a polygraph and loyalty pledge. Democrats like Senator Adam Schiff warn Bongino’s appointment signals Trump’s intent to target adversaries, while even some Republicans, like Gregg Nunziata, call him an “unqualified henchman.” Yet, Bongino insists he’s nonpartisan, telling his podcast audience, “I’m here to lead,” and vowing to restore the FBI’s integrity.
Threads and X are exploding with reactions. Supporters see him as a bold outsider shaking up a “deep state” FBI, while detractors label him a conspiracy-peddling threat to justice. The Epstein memo has only deepened the divide, with #BonginoBetrayal trending alongside calls to “stand with Dan.” His past—praising Obama as a “wonderful guy” in 2011 before turning hard-right—adds to the confusion. Is he a principled reformer or a political pawn? The answer depends on where you stand, but one thing’s clear: Bongino’s tenure is a high-stakes gamble, and the internet can’t stop talking about it.
