FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino returned to work on Monday after not showing up for duty on Friday, leading many to speculate he was about to resign. Rumors of resignation started swirling after a heated confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi about the infamous Epstein files. Earlier in the week, the Justice Department declared that the notorious sex trafficker killed himself and that the client list didn’t exist.
As you can imagine, this didn’t sit well with pretty much anyone, including diehard members of the MAGA movement that make up President Donald Trump’s base. Earlier in the year, Bondi said that the client list was on her desk. All of the sudden it doesn’t exist? What’s with the conflicting statements?
However, fears that Bongino was about to bounce were allayed by Trump earlier in the day on Monday. The president stated he had confidence in Bongino even in the midst of controversy over the administration’s handling of the Epstein files.
Much to the chagrin of conservatives and MAGA folk alike, both FBI Director Kash Patel and Bongino have doubled down on stating that Epstein did indeed end his own life and that there was no “client list” of those who participated in the sex trafficking ring.
“I spoke to him today,” Trump said to reporters reporters after getting off Air Force One on Sunday evening. “Dan Bongino. Very good guy. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve done his show many, many times. He sounded terrific, actually. No, I think he’s in good shape.”
via Trending Politics News:
Bongino, a former radio host and Secret Service agent, rose to prominence in conservative media by fueling the narrative that a government cover-up was protecting powerful individuals who associated with Epstein. The late pedophile philanthropist died in 2019 while sitting in a jail cell after being charged with human trafficking and other sex crimes related to his abuse of underage girls. Now Bongino, Patel, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi are in a defensive crouch, batting back accusations that they are hiding the same list they once sought to make public.
The controversy culminated in a clash on Thursday when Bondi confronted Bongino, accusing him of leaking damaging stories to conservative media outlets. Bongino denied doing so and did not show up for work the following morning. Rumors immediately sparked that he was considering ending his tenure at the FBI.
“President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields went on to say in a statement to The Independent. “This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity. Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.”
Conspiracy theorists have long held that the government is insulating powerful individuals from further disclosures in the Epstein investigation, a charge Trump himself has denied. However, administration officials have claimed that the release of more records may implicate innocent individuals caught up in Epstein’s orbit, such as those named in his private jet logs.
On Sunday, Bondi made an appearance along with a small group of folks around the president at the FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey. Many believe this was a clear sign he has absolute confidence in Bondi’s work and leadership of the DOJ.
The appearance followed a social media post from President Trump on Saturday where he slammed his MAGA supporters for what he feels is unfair criticism of Bondi. He stated in the post that Bondi was doing a “fantastic job.”
And without missing a beat, former friend and DOGE head honcho Elon Musk took a verbal jab at the president.
“This is in the running for the worst post ever made,” he said on X.
“Seriously. He said ‘Epstein’ half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised,” Musk continued.
Interestingly, a source close to Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and “business partner” of Epstein, said she’s ready to spill the tea to Congress as she continues to appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn her conviction. She’s currently serving 20 years for her part in the sex trafficking operation.
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