Trump Backs FBI Deputy Director Amid Epstein Controversy

On Sunday, President Trump voiced his support for Dun Bongino, the deputy FBI director, despite the backlash surrounding the handling of files related to the disgraced investor Jeffrey Epstein.

Bongino finds himself in the midst of an internal struggle regarding the Epstein case, with an insider on Capitol Hill confirming his frustration over the document processing and its implications for the Justice Department. It seems tensions are running high.

While speaking at Andrews Joint Base on Sunday evening, Trump was asked about Bongino’s status as assistant FBI director. “Yeah, I think so. I told him today. Dan Bongino, he’s a really good guy. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve done his shows over and over again,” he remarked.

Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI released a joint memo aimed at countering allegations about Epstein, which have been frequently echoed by conservative media figures, including Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel.

This memo reiterated that Epstein—a convicted child sex trafficker—did not have a client list and confirmed he took his own life in a New York City jail back in 2019. The quest for a client list has been a persistent narrative pushed by certain factions, and earlier this year, General Pam Bondy reviewed it in her office.

According to reports, Bongino has been at odds with Bondi since the memo’s release. On Friday, several news sources indicated Bongino was absent from work and there were speculations about his potential resignation.

Meanwhile, the White House dismissed the department’s claims as “basic.”

In a statement, White House spokesman Harrison Fields said, “President Trump has assembled a highly qualified, experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims.” He added that any efforts to create division within this team distract from the significant progress being made to enhance public safety and seek justice.