Dan Bongino, the deputy FBI director, expressed that he was “shocked” by the FBI’s findings regarding issues of corruption and political manipulation, saying he would “never be the same” after this experience.
In a post on X, Bongino noted that some matters the FBI deals with “may not be immediately visible.” He mentioned his commitment, alongside FBI director Kash Patel, to addressing public corruption and the politicization of law enforcement and intelligence.
Bongino stated, “The Director and I are focused on tackling public corruption and the misuse of political power against law enforcement and intelligence.” He added, “What I uncovered during the necessary and, frankly, enlightening research shocked me deeply.”
“We can’t run a republic like this,” he stressed. “What I’ve learned has changed me profoundly.”
Bongino also asserted that the FBI is committed to conducting “fair and thorough investigations, adhering to the law,” and that there’s a genuine effort towards uncovering the truth.
“We aim to ensure these investigations are just and lawful,” he added. “We will pursue the answers we all deserve. While I can’t predict the outcome, I guarantee that it will be an honest effort toward uncovering the truth—not merely ‘my truth’ or ‘your truth,’ but the actual truth.”
Bongino’s comments follow reports of tensions between him and Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the handling of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These tensions emerged after a memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI indicated no evidence of a “client list” and details surrounding Epstein’s suicide were examined.
The memo also stated that although Epstein had “blackmailed a prominent individual,” there was “no credible evidence” to support this claim.
Following the release of the memo, President Donald Trump defended Bondi, praising her work. He also pressed her for answers regarding the findings of the memo and an unexplained minute missing from prison footage from the night of Epstein’s death.
Former Attorney General Merrick Garland reportedly sent out “a cryptic message” ahead of significant actions in 2021 and 2022. According to Fox News, Garland highlighted the need for DOJ independence prior to a highly contentious plea deal related to former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
