President Donald Trump publicly backed FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino during a press gaggle on Sunday, stating that Bongino is staying at the FBI for now following reports of potential resignation this week.
Trump described Bongino as “a very good guy” and said he believes the deputy director is “in good shape” amid ongoing tensions within the administration over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
Epstein, the financier and sex offender who died in prison six years ago, socialized with some of the world’s most powerful people. While his death was ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories persist that he was instead killed due to his purported “client list,” which many have speculated to contain the names of politicians including Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew.
Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign suggested he would release files related to Epstein, with a first batch publicized in February by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, earlier this week, Trump and Bondi said they found “no incriminating ‘client list’” related to Epstein, triggering major backlash among both Democrats and MAGA supporters.
Billionaire Elon Musk last month said the government had not released records related to the case because Trump “is in the Epstein files.” While the president has dismissed Musk’s claim, it has sparked further interest in the government’s records.
What To Know
Speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump revealed he had spoken with Bongino earlier on Sunday about his future at the FBI.
The president expressed confidence in his deputy director, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and Bongino’s regular appearances on Trump’s campaign trail. Trump noted he had “done his show many, many times,” referring to The Dan Bongino Show podcast, which ranked as the 56th most-popular podcast on Spotify before Bongino took his FBI position.
The president’s comments came amid reports that Bongino was considering resignation following a heated exchange with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the management of Epstein files. According to CNN, Bongino did not report to work on Friday, fueling speculation about his potential departure.
Trump appointed Bongino to his FBI deputy director role in late February, praising him as “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.” Bongino previously served in the New York Police Department (NYPD) and as a Secret Service agent, protecting Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday: “I spoke to him today. Dan Bongino is a very good guy. I’ve known him a long time. I’ve done his show many, many times. I think he’s in good shape.”
The DOJ in response to a Newsweek request for comment referred to a post on X by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who wrote: “I worked closely with [FBI Director Kash Patel] and [FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino] on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files. All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
In response to Blanche’s post, far-right political activist Laura Loomer wrote on X, in part: “How come nobody signed their name to the memo? [Todd Blanche]. My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO. This has caused tension between Blondi, Kash, and Bongino. Asking for transparency isn’t difficult.”
She added: “Blondi is literally blowing up the Trump admin by concealing information, spending time on Fox News lying to MAGA base and by releasing contradictory statements,” Loomer continued. “There is information that can be released that the public wants to see. Why was the Memo released on a Sunday night on 4th of July weekend with no official signage and no names of any admin officials?”
Conservative host Glenn Beck on X: “My team has filed a FOIA for all of @danbongino’s texts and emails regarding Epstein to Pam Bondi. My guess is that those exchanges will tell us everything we need to know.”
What Happens Next
The administration continues to navigate the fallout from the Epstein memo controversy while Trump seeks to redirect focus toward other policy priorities.
Whether Bongino ultimately decides to resign remains uncertain, though his potential departure would represent another high-profile personnel change within the administration’s law enforcement apparatus.
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