FBI deputy director Dan Bongino responded strongly to a recent opinion piece from The New York Times that accused the federal agency of being politicized under Donald Trump’s influence. The article claimed the FBI was becoming a tool for political agendas rather than a protector of national security.
The New York Times editorial, titled “Trump’s Politicized FBI Has Made Americans Less Safe,” alleged that the former president was reshaping the agency to serve personal goals. It accused Trump of hiring only loyal supporters, trying to block probes into his allies, and using the FBI to pressure political rivals.
The editorial board wrote that the FBI’s new direction could make it less effective against threats like terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, espionage, and organized crime.
Bongino, however, disagreed and took to social media to offer data he believes the Times ignored. In a detailed post on X, Bongino stated that the FBI has actually improved in tackling violent crime, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and other national threats under its current leadership.
He pointed to FBI-led operations like “Summer Heat,” designed to remove dangerous criminals from the streets. According to Bongino, this effort has led to the arrest of about 14,000 violent offenders—62% more than the same period last year. The arrests include over 800 child predators and 140 human traffickers.
Bongino also stated that more than 50 foreign spies were arrested for smuggling or spying activities. One of the most dangerous gang leaders in the U.S. has been jailed, and large gang networks were taken down nationwide. He added that three of the FBI’s most wanted suspects were recently caught, and the team is close to capturing another.
The FBI’s success also extends to the fight against illegal drugs. Bongino said agents have seized 22% more narcotics than last year. This includes 97,000 pounds of cocaine, 7,000 pounds of meth, and 2,500 pounds of fentanyl—drugs that are driving addiction and death rates across the country.
On the immigration front, the agency, working with federal partners, has helped jail and deport over 18,000 undocumented immigrants with criminal pasts. Bongino emphasized that in June, no illegal immigrants were released into the country from the border, showing a tough new stance.
Additionally, around 800 people were arrested for interfering with federal law enforcement operations. These actions, Bongino said, prove that the FBI is actively working to keep communities safe.
Though some work by counter-terrorism teams remains classified, Bongino assured the public that strong efforts are underway behind the scenes. “It’s happening,” he said, though specific details could not be shared due to national security reasons.
Bongino ended his post with a sharp remark about the Times editorial, saying that the piece was meant to tell “a story” instead of presenting the full facts. He criticized the paper for ignoring progress and said efforts are also ongoing to fix past problems within the agency and support its staff properly.
The current direction of the FBI is closely tied to leadership changes made earlier this year. In February, former President Trump appointed Dan Bongino as deputy director. Bongino is a former Secret Service agent and NYPD officer known for his strong law enforcement background.
Trump also nominated Kash Patel to head the FBI. Patel was confirmed in the Senate after a narrow vote. He has been vocal about past investigations into Trump and made headlines for pledging not to retaliate against agents involved in politically sensitive cases, including the probe into Trump’s handling of classified documents.
When asked for comment, the FBI said in a statement it had nothing to add. The agency did not respond further regarding Bongino’s remarks or the New York Times article.
