The FBI is deploying an unprecedented 24-hour security detail for Deputy Director Dan Bongino, breaking with tradition and raising questions about resource allocation and necessity.
At a Glance
- FBI has requested volunteer agents to form a bodyguard team for Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a departure from past practices for No. 2 officials
- Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and pro-Trump podcaster, is the first non-career agent to serve as FBI Deputy Director
- The security detail could require up to 20 agents for full-time protection, potentially straining FBI resources
- Former FBI officials have questioned the necessity and taxpayer cost of the extensive protection
Unprecedented Security Measures
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has implemented extensive security measures for Deputy Director Dan Bongino, making an unusual request for agents to volunteer as bodyguards. This marks a significant departure from historical practices where the FBI’s second-in-command typically operated without dedicated security details. According to reports, an internal message was circulated seeking volunteers for a 30-day temporary duty assignment to protect Bongino, potentially requiring as many as 20 agents for full-time protection.
Unlike his predecessor Paul Abbate, who carried his own weapon and only had full security for overseas travel, Bongino has opted for continuous protection. His bodyguards have been observed accompanying him even inside secure FBI facilities, which sources indicate is unusual for leadership. When contacted about these security arrangements, the FBI declined to comment on the matter, maintaining its typical stance of not discussing security protocols for senior officials.
A Non-Traditional Deputy Director
Bongino brings an unconventional background to the FBI’s second-highest position. As a former Secret Service agent and New York police officer who later became known for his pro-Trump podcasting, he represents a departure from the agency’s tradition of promoting career agents to leadership roles. In fact, Bongino is the first non-career agent to serve as Deputy Director of the FBI, though he has publicly pledged to act in a nonpartisan manner in his official capacity.
“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,” Bongino has stated.
Since his appointment, Bongino has taken on significant responsibilities, supervising other top officials leading three regional divisions following a reorganization implemented by FBI Director Kash Patel. This restructuring reflects the new administration’s priorities for the bureau, though some have questioned the rapid changes to long-established operational structures.
Criticism and Resource Concerns
The decision to provide Bongino with round-the-clock security has not been without critics. Former FBI officials have questioned both the necessity of such extensive protection and its cost to taxpayers. Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI Assistant Director for Counterintelligence, has been particularly vocal in his assessment of the situation, suggesting that Bongino’s law enforcement background should enable him to carry his own weapon.
“Of course he could carry — this is ridiculous,” said Figliuzzi.
Security experts note that staffing protective details places significant strain on FBI resources, often requiring agents to be pulled from vital units such as SWAT teams or the Hostage Rescue Team. This resource allocation concern stands in contrast with Director Patel’s stated priority of moving agents from headquarters back to field operations where they can work on investigations directly affecting American communities.
Historical Context
Traditionally, only the FBI Director and the Attorney General have maintained full security details, with notable exceptions like former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who was a former agent and chose to carry a gun rather than have constant protection. The expansion of security protocols to include the Deputy Director represents a shift in operational practice that some veteran agents view as unnecessary based on historical threat assessments for the position.
“But that’s a pill I agreed to swallow when I swore in. … I realize asking you to ‘trust me’ is a waste of time. Watch what happens, continue to demand results, be cautious of narrative ‘traps,’ let time put the puzzle pieces together, and what we’re doing will make sense.” Bongino has remarked about his role.
As the FBI navigates this transition in leadership style and security protocols, questions remain about the long-term sustainability of such intensive protection measures and their impact on the bureau’s operational capabilities in fulfilling its primary mission of protecting American citizens.
