U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA), all serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee, have sent a letter to Dan Bongino, the Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The letter voiced significant doubts regarding Bongino's capacity to lead the FBI alongside Director Kash Patel. Bongino is a former conservative political commentator and podcast host, who has been in the center of controversy. It is noteworthy that the role of the FBI Deputy Director does not require Senate confirmation.
The Senators expressed concern about the new leadership structure under Director Patel, stating, “As the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) finalizes its new leadership structure, we are deeply concerned that Director Kash Patel’s senior leadership team is unprepared for the challenges of managing our nation’s premier law enforcement agency and its approximately 38,000 public servants.”
The concerns primarily revolve around statements made by Bongino in which he criticized the FBI, suggesting the Bureau could be disbanded. The Senators cited Bongino’s past remarks such as, “The only thing that is going to stop the FBI from doing what they’re doing now, which is become full-time activists and bouncers, in many cases, thugs for the Democrat [sic] party, is imposing real material losses on them (emphasis added). Fire everyone involved in this stuff. Everyone—no excuses. Disband the entity.”
Additionally, Bongino's claims that the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the placement of pipe bombs were an "inside job" were highlighted. He was reported saying, “There is a massive cover-up, because the person who planted those pipe bombs—they don’t want you to know who it was, because it’s either a connected anti-Trump insider, or this was an inside job. Those bombs were planted there. This was a setup. I have zero doubt… And whoever goes into FBI… you better get an answer… about why.”
The Senators emphasized the severity of Bongino's allegations against the FBI, stating, “Your claim that the FBI is responsible for a cover-up is an extremely serious allegation that you have an obligation either to substantiate or repudiate.”
The letter also included specific points for Bongino to address by April 11, 2025, concerning his past statements and the expectations from his role. This request is particularly due to the unsubstantiated nature of his previous statements and the role he currently occupies in leading a premier law enforcement agency.
Documentation of the letter is accessible, providing further details on the Senators' concerns and statements regarding Deputy Director Dan Bongino.