Report: FBI Director Kash Patel Allegedly Waived Polygraph Requirement for Dan Bongino and Two Aides

Allegations that Patel waived polygraph for top FBI hires

ProPublica reported that FBI Director Kash Patel set aside the agency's usual polygraph requirement for Dan Bongino — now the FBI's Deputy Director — along with two other staffers, Marshall Yates and Nicole Rucker. The move, if confirmed, would be notable because the polygraph is typically part of the FBI's employment eligibility process for staff with sensitive duties.

According to the report, an anonymous source said the three were hired as "Schedule C" political appointees, a classification that the source suggested exempted them from the polygraph. National security attorneys and an intelligence specialist interviewed by ProPublica disputed that claim, saying there is no blanket Schedule C exemption from required security screening.

Agency response and public statements

FBI spokesman Ben William called claims that the three "failed polygraphs" "false," but did not clarify whether they had taken polygraph exams or how any results were evaluated. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast about the report.

Dan Bongino wrote on X: "Claiming I was hired 'with no background check' is just a lie. It's a complete fabrication." He added that he had held a security clearance for more than a decade while serving as a Secret Service agent protecting presidents and that "all of the background check requirements for my current position as Deputy Director of the FBI have been met."

The article also follows scrutiny of Patel's reported personal use of an FBI aircraft. When flight logs raised questions that Patel had used a reportedly expensive FBI plane to attend concerts by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, Patel dismissed the coverage, saying, "Let me be clear: we will not be distracted by baseless rumors or the noise from uninformed internet anarchists and the fake news."

What remains unclear

Key details remain unresolved: whether the three hires took polygraph exams, whether any waivers were formally documented, and what specific security-screening steps were completed. ProPublica's account, the anonymous source, and the FBI's brief denial leave open several questions that may require further reporting or official clarification.

Background: Dan Bongino is a former Secret Service agent and conservative media figure who has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump. Marshall Yates is reported to be the FBI's liaison to Congress, and Nicole Rucker is described as Patel's personal assistant.