Trump Considering Dan Bongino To Lead Pivotal Agency

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, he is said to be exploring bold changes to the U.S. Secret Service, an agency tasked with protecting the nation’s highest officeholders. Trump is reportedly weighing a controversial choice for its new leader: Dan Bongino, a conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent who has risen to prominence in the media sphere.

Sources familiar with the deliberations told CNN that Trump’s dissatisfaction with the Secret Service’s performance in recent months is driving the potential shake-up. The agency came under intense scrutiny this summer following two alleged assassination attempts targeting Trump during his campaign, raising questions about its ability to counter emerging threats.

Known for his fiery rhetoric and unwavering support for Trump, Bongino’s profile as a media personality sharply contrasts with the typically low-profile nature of Secret Service leadership. However, his background as a Secret Service agent during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations lends him credibility within law enforcement circles.

Trump’s frustrations with the Secret Service are not new. During his first term, the agency struggled with staffing shortages and high-profile security lapses, including the infamous breach at Mar-a-Lago in which an intruder gained access to the property. Trump’s team has not confirmed any official decision, and it remains unclear whether Bongino would accept the role if offered.

Sean Curran, who currently heads Trump’s security team, is also being considered for the prominent position. However, his strong rapport with Trump might lead to him remaining as the chief of security during the early years of Trump’s administration, according to CNN. Both Engel and former Secret Service Assistant Director Tony Ornato came under scrutiny during the House January 6 committee hearings.

This followed testimony by ex-White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who claimed Ornato told her about an incident where Trump allegedly attempted to lunge at Engel after being denied a visit to the Capitol post his Ellipse speech. Engel informed the committee that he did not remember such an exchange or any aggressive gesture from Trump. Similarly, Ornato denied recalling or narrating the incident to Hutchinson. Ornato has not expressed any interest in taking up the role of Secret Service director, as per a source familiar with the transition discussions.

Following the assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, Bongino described the Secret Service’s performance as an “absolutely catastrophic” failure. He commended Trump’s quick reaction during the incident, stating that the former president “saved his own life” by ducking at the right moment.

“The bunting around the front of the stage is likely armor. Donald Trump knew to duck. I mean, most people would. He saved his own life,” Bongino explained on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends Sunday.” In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, Bongino testified before Congress, highlighting multiple security failures and expressing concern over the agency’s leadership and operational protocols.

“Let’s just get right to the point. This was an apocalyptic security failure. A man was murdered in front of his family,” Bongino said.

“Three people were shot on live television, including President Trump and the head who came within two millimeters of having his head explode on national television in front of millions of people. There’s no sugarcoating it. It’s no time for BS.”