President-elect Donald Trump is considering the appointment of Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and Westwood One syndicated radio host, to lead the Secret Service. Bongino, known for his strong support of Trump, brings with him valuable experience as a former New York City police officer.
According to The Independent, Trump is considering Bongino for the role as the agency faces pressure to restore its credibility in the wake of two assassination attempts on the President-elect during the final months of his 2024 campaign. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle stepped down in July amidst widespread criticism.
Dan Bongino has clarified that he hasn’t had any formal discussions with the Trump administration regarding the position. In December 2023, he decided to extend his multi-year deal with Westwood One, allowing him to continue hosting “The Dan Bongino Show” and his daily podcasts under the Cumulus Podcast Network. It’s worth noting that Bongino had previously criticized Cumulus for their vaccine mandate.
Bongino’s syndicated radio show has experienced significant growth since its debut in 2021, increasing from 115 affiliates to over 350. If he were to be selected as the Secret Service Director, it is expected that his show would come to an end.
Other potential candidates for the Secret Service director role include Sean Curran, who currently heads Trump’s security detail, and Robert Engel, a former leader of Trump’s detail. It is worth noting that the position of Secret Service director does not need to be confirmed by the Senate.
In addition to Bongino, there are other media figures that Trump is reportedly considering for his administration. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News contributor, has been chosen as the new Secretary of Defense. Sean Duffy, the host of Fox Business, has been selected as the Transportation Secretary. And Linda McMahon, a former WWE executive, has been nominated by Trump as the Secretary of Education.