On Saturday, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that the bureau will start disclosing information that has previously been kept confidential, including cases that many Americans suspect were hidden for political or institutional motives.
Bongino, who has a background as an NYPD officer, Secret Service agent, and conservative commentator, announced on X that his office has commenced collaboration with Congress and the public by releasing long-sought information.
He pointed out several significant cases, including the attempted assassination of Rep. Steve Scalise, the majority whip from Louisiana, the Nashville Christian school shooting, the ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ investigation, and the origins and cover-up of COVID-19.
The ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ investigation pertained to allegations of President Donald Trump’s collusion with Russia to influence the 2016 election, a narrative that was ultimately proven to be entirely fabricated with the involvement of his then-opponent, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
In the brief period since our inauguration, we have addressed inquiries regarding the assault on Rep. Scalise and other Congressional members, the Nashville incident, Crossfire Hurricane, the COVID cover-up, and additional matters. We are collaborating with the Department of Justice on the Jeffrey Epstein case, and as Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated, we are managing a substantial volume of downloaded child sexual abuse material.
Furthermore, there are statements from victims that require particular protections. It is imperative that we handle this matter appropriately, although I recognize the public’s eagerness for information.
In the meantime, the FBI is establishing a multi-agency security team to ensure 24-hour protection for Bongino, including at the agency’s headquarters. Recently, a communication directed at FBI agents, referred to as a canvass, solicited volunteers to temporarily step away from their regular assignments to join a protective security detail for Bongino, as reported by NBC News citing unnamed sources.
This canvass aimed to recruit agents willing to be reassigned for a 30-day period to deliver continuous protection for Bongino, according to two former FBI officials knowledgeable about security operations.
They indicated that full-time protection might necessitate the involvement of up to 20 agents. The appeal for 30-day ‘temporary duty assignments’ (TDYs) suggests that the security detail will be composed of a rotating selection of agents who volunteer to leave their standard responsibilities.
The establishment of this security detail appears to contradict one of FBI Director Kash Patel’s primary objectives: to reallocate FBI agents from headquarters to field operations, where he believes they can more effectively address crime, as noted by NBC, although the report did not elaborate on the specific reasons for Bongino’s need for such security.
A part-time agent was designated to accompany the former deputy director, Paul Abbate, to select events, as reported by current and former officials. They also mentioned that Abbate carried his own service weapon and had a complete security team only during international trips.
Two former FBI officials acquainted with the situation indicated that Bongino’s current bodyguards have been present with him inside secure FBI locations, including the Washington headquarters. They noted that typically, directors navigate the headquarters without their security teams.
It appears improbable that Bongino’s security detail would have been authorized without the consent of FBI Director Kash Patel and possibly even Attorney General Pam Bondi.
However, NBC did not provide any details regarding the deputy director’s rationale for requiring a security presence. The report did mention that Bongino might be eligible to carry a weapon himself, but he has opted for the security detail instead.
