Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said he fears retaliation after stepping down from his role, warning that political opponents could target him through legal or personal means.
Bongino, who served under FBI Director Kash Patel, left the position after roughly ten months and has since returned to media work. Despite praise from President Donald Trump, he said publicly that he is concerned about what could happen next.
“I’m scared,” Bongino said during an interview. “I know what I did… and I’m proud of what me and Kash accomplished… but I’m terrified.”
He added, “They’re going to send some thugs to my house,” expressing concern about potential retaliation if political power shifts.
Bongino argued that his actions while in office followed legal procedures and were reviewed by outside counsel. He said decisions made during his tenure were handled “by the book,” including oversight measures designed to ensure compliance with federal law.
His concerns are tied to a broader claim.
Bongino said he believes a future Democratic administration could use the justice system to target former officials tied to Trump. He referenced past investigations involving Trump, including the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane probe, which examined links between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.
“After reading what I read about how many people did this to President Trump… and not a single person stopped them,” Bongino said, arguing that similar tactics could be used against others.
He also warned that enforcement actions could expand beyond major cases.
“I’m extremely concerned they are going to weaponize the justice system… start arresting people for jaywalking or mattress tag ripping,” he said, describing what he views as a broader misuse of legal authority.
Bongino’s tenure at the FBI was controversial.
He did not come from a traditional FBI leadership background and had previously been critical of the bureau before taking the role. His appointment broke with the usual practice of selecting senior career agents for the deputy director position.
During his time at the FBI, Bongino also clashed with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein. Disagreements reportedly centered on whether certain records existed and how they should be released, per the Daily Mail.
Those disputes contributed to internal tensions within the Justice Department and law enforcement leadership.
Bongino also faced scrutiny over issues tied to the Epstein case, including questions about missing surveillance footage from the night Epstein died in custody. Reports at the time suggested he was blamed internally for gaps in that footage, though details remain disputed.
Since leaving government, Bongino has returned to his podcast and public commentary, where he continues to speak about his time in office and his concerns about political and legal developments.
His statements reflect ongoing divisions over the role of federal law enforcement and the extent to which political factors influence investigations and prosecutions.
