Trump Considers Nominating Right-Wing Radio Host Dan Bongino as Secret Service Chief: Report

Donald Trump is reportedly considering right-wing radio host Dan Bongino to head the Secret Service as the beleaguered security agency looks to rebuild its credibility following several near-assassinations against Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign.

The host of the Dan Bongino Show The political podcast previously worked as a Secret Service agent and was a regular commentator and host on Fox News until last year.

Trump is also reportedly considering Sean Curran, the current head of the president-elect’s national security department, and Robert Engel, the former head of that department, for the position, which does not require Senate confirmation.

The Independent has reached out to Bongino and the Trump transition team for comment.

Bongino said on his podcast last week that he has not had any formal discussions with the Trump administration.

In addition to his stints with the Secret Service and Fox, he previously served as a New York City police officer and ran unsuccessfully for Congress three times.

In his media appearances, Bongino has frequently defended Trump and reiterated his ideas, including criticizing the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago, which uncovered thousands of classified documents, and spreading unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 election.

Bongino was permanently banned from YouTube in 2022 for allegedly spreading misinformation about Covid.

The Secret Service came under intense scrutiny during the 2024 election season after two assassination attempts against Donald Trump and after a third gunman was stopped outside a Trump rally.

The agency suffers from a “corrosive” culture and a “troubling lack of critical thinking,” according to a damning report from outside Department of Homeland Security experts in October.

In July, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing criticism from Congress.

Bongino is not the only media representative who could end up in government

Trump named Fox News’ Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon, although the transition is reportedly considering alternatives in light of sexual misconduct allegations against him. Hegseth denies wrongdoing.

He also named Sean Duffy, a former reality TV star and Fox Business host, as his transportation minister and has named Linda McMahon, the estranged wife of former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, as his education minister.