Dan Bongino To Leave FBI — Is a Return to Conservative Media Next?

After several failed bids for elected office, Dan Bongino built a high‑profile career as a combative conservative commentator — first as a Fox News contributor and later as the host of The Dan Bongino Show. Earlier this year he abruptly left syndicated radio when fellow pro‑Trump podcaster Kash Patel recruited him to serve as his deputy at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Now Bongino has announced he will step down next month, and industry figures say a media comeback appears likely.

Industry Reaction And Return Signals

President Donald Trump, whose political brand Bongino has long aligned with, signalled a likely return to broadcasting:

“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.”

Vince Coglianese, who replaced Bongino in Westwood One’s daily slot, confirmed on his program that Bongino is expected back on the air and said he would keep his own 12–3pm show. An industry observer noted that Coglianese’s podcast is produced by Bongino’s company, Silverloch Productions, suggesting a production link that could ease a comeback.

Supporters See Benefits, Critics Expect Familiar Rhetoric

Some conservative media veterans argued Bongino’s short spell inside government could enhance his on‑air credentials. Eric Bolling told the Guardian that Bongino’s time inside the administration "only adds to his credibility," while Talkers Magazine publisher Michael Harrison predicted Bongino would return stronger for the experience.

Others were skeptical. Laura Ingraham suggested his departure was unsurprising and that Bongino missed the lucrative media life. Media analyst Brian Rosenwald noted that, given the profitability of talk radio, a return was unsurprising — but said Bongino will likely have to reconcile tensions between his official role and his former on‑air persona.

Controversies And Context

During his FBI tenure Bongino faced backlash from some on the right for stating definitively that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, a position at odds with earlier public questioning he had made while on radio. Critics highlighted that inconsistency as one issue he may need to address upon returning to the airwaves.

Bongino’s relationship with Fox News also remains murky. His exit from the network in April 2023 — soon after Fox’s large settlement with Dominion Voting Systems — surprised observers, though he publicly denied any acrimony. Even so, industry insiders say a return to Fox seems unlikely despite his friendship with Sean Hannity.

Revolving Door Between Media And Government

Bongino’s movement between broadcasting and a government role underscores a broader pattern of interchange between conservative media figures and the Trump administration. The trajectory resembles other personalities who have moved in and out of public service, such as Sebastian Gorka.

As Bongino prepares to leave the FBI, the questions for audiences and advertisers will be whether his brief government service enhances his credibility, how he explains past inconsistencies, and whether he will resume the combative style that made him a major voice in conservative talk radio.

Notable Quotes

“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.” — Donald Trump

“Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. That’s clear. And one day I will be back in that space, but that’s not what I’m paid for now. I’m paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts.” — Dan Bongino on Sean Hannity’s show