Former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino says he fears political retribution and even "federal prison" after nearly a year inside the Bureau. He told Sean Hannity he discovered a "mother lode" of Russiagate-related files and encountered internal leaks he describes as coming from "snakes." Bongino says he retained outside counsel, worries about the weaponization of the justice system, and believes opponents could use "lawfare" to silence him.
Dan Bongino Says He Fears 'Federal Prison' and Retribution After Year at the FBI
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino holds a news conference at the Department of Justice on Dec. 4, 2025.(Getty Images)
Former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino told Sean Hannity he now lives in fear of political retribution after serving nearly a year inside the Bureau. Speaking on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, Bongino said what he witnessed during his tenure shocked him and left him feeling constantly threatened.
"I'm scared, man," Bongino told Hannity. "I know what I did. And I'm proud of my work. And I am proud of what me and Kash [Patel] accomplished in the past year. They’re going to come for me."
Bongino said he joined the FBI in March 2025 and departed in January 2026. At the time of his appointment, he said his goal was to restore an agency that was "transparent, accountable, and committed to the rule of law." He now says that his service made him a target.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino speak at the Justice Department during a news conference on Dec. 4, 2025.
He described internal resistance within the Bureau and accused unnamed colleagues of leaking sensitive material to the media, calling some of them "snakes." He also said he discovered what he described as a "mother lode" of documents related to the Russia investigation — files he claims were found in FBI burn bags — a discovery he says deepened his concerns about internal conduct.
"It comes to my mind every day," Bongino said. "I live like this the rest of my life because I know how they are."
Bongino told Hannity he fears opponents will use legal tactics — often called "lawfare" — to imprison or silence him. He said he retained outside counsel to ensure that actions he and Kash Patel took were "by the book," but warned that legal standards can be changed or reinterpreted, citing charges filed against former President Trump as an example.
He told Hannity he has discussed these fears with his wife and worries that, if Republicans lose the next presidential election, opponents could "weaponize the justice system" and pursue trivial or politically motivated charges against critics. "I'm extremely concerned they are [going to] weaponize the justice system and start arresting people for jaywalking or mattress tag ripping," he said.
The full interview is available on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" YouTube channel.
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