FBI sources: Kash Patel, Dan Bongino likely out soon
Source: Salon
Published December 15, 2025 7:27PM (EST)
Kash Patels troubled tenure as Donald Trumps FBI director may be at its end, according to multiple sources, in the wake of the recent mass shooting at Brown University along with a series of other perceived mishaps. Meanwhile, staffers also say that Deputy Director Dan Bongino is already out the door, signaling a larger shakeup at the agency.
Patel boasted Sunday on X that the FBI had brought in a person of interest in the Brown shooting using geolocation capabilities and then added that Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez had praised the FBI for following through on a tip to locate the potential suspect.
A few hours later in a Sunday evening press conference, however, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said that person had been released, as there was no basis to keep them in custody. Patel had made similar announcements about a person of interest during the early stages of the FBIs investigation into Charlie Kirks murder, and was also forced to walk those back.
Insiders told Salon that pressure has been mounting against Patel from inside the FBI. White House officials, on background, said that Trump wouldnt be all that upset to see Patel go. According to three different sources inside the FBI, the once-respected federal law enforcement agency is in shambles. Morale is at an all-time low, said one 30-year veteran, adding, The cause is at the top.
Read more: https://www.salon.com/2025/12/15/fbi-sources-kash-patel-dan-bongino-likely-out-soon/
JustAnotherGen
(37,577 posts)Don't want him to get Fed Gov benefits for life.
So that means when the Regime falls - he loses them. Anyone and everyone in this Shit Ass Admin needs to have them pulled by We The People.
They get nothing.
Lovie777
(21,765 posts)ToxMarz
(2,758 posts)Probably see just see a perpetual interim FBI Director or two, or three...
Tump doesn't feel he has to ask permission anymore, he won't bother with a Senate confirmation.
No set limit to how long they can serve, just that they must be reviewed by AG (Pam Blondie) every 120 days unitl permanent Director confirmed.
Bluetus
(2,300 posts)This could be a case where Congress might assert itself.
The problem is that if Trump never nominates anybody, they need to have somebody in charge.
I guess one option would be if Trump appoints an "acting," and does not nominate any permanent secretary within the 120 days, the acting should be thrown out, and people from the current chain of command would automatically move into the acting position, according to a defined succession sequence. At least that way, Trump would not have any say over who it is.
Another option would be that if Trump fails to nominate a permanent Secy during the 120 days, then the next in succession would automatically be nominated, and if they accept the nomination, they would stand before the Senate for confirmation as usual. And if the Senate found that person unqualified, they could keep going down the succession line until they found one who they think is qualified. Trump would hate that, and that would force Trump to make a real nomination.
underpants
(194,920 posts)Bongino has faced increasing internal criticism for his lack of understanding of how things work, an FBI source told Salon. That echoed a recent report from a national alliance of retired and active duty agents and analysts, which described Bongino as something of a clown.
SergeStorms
(19,967 posts)What wasn't said: "The best people who'll do whatever Donnie-dimwit wants."
Dave Id
(241 posts)Trump purposely didn't finish the sentence. He meant 'only the best people for me'.
Irish_Dem
(79,829 posts)Who benefits and how?
Trump will bring in a new demolition team.
Ray Bruns
(5,984 posts)
KS Toronado
(23,060 posts)wolfie001
(7,087 posts)And yet they're all still here dynamiting our government every day.
Bengus81
(9,826 posts)Just like they have done in the past.
orangecrush
(28,392 posts)Old Crank
(6,668 posts)Needs to be billed for all costs incurred pampering his friend.
Prairie Gates
(7,199 posts)A President isn't really supposed to go through three, four of them!
Fucking clown show.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(24,596 posts)... Or a pardon?
MarcoZandrini
(152 posts).being led by the incontinent.
travelingthrulife
(4,463 posts)BaronChocula
(4,031 posts)You can't reconcile allegiance to the fantasies of a complete moron ignoramus with competence.
Kid Berwyn
(22,963 posts)Traitors.