Bongino and Bondi clash over botched handling of Epstein files



Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the Epstein files sparked outrage among conservatives, supporters of President Donald Trump, and even among FBI leadership.

The dramatic Epstein saga has caused a rift between FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Bondi in recent days, one source familiar with the matter confirmed to Blaze News. Other reports indicate that Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel are both threatening to leave the bureau altogether unless Bondi is removed from office.

'Fire Pam Bondi. Keep Dan Bongino.'

RELATED: FBI, DOJ Epstein memo sparks right-wing outrage: 'Nobody is believing this'

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

As tensions emerge between the FBI and DOJ leadership, the MAGA base has made clear where its support lies.

"There is no question that the base is behind Bongino," conservative commentator and reporter Julie Kelly said in a post on X. "I respect Pam Bondi and understand the immense challenge at taking the reins of such a systemically corrupt agency. But the self inflicted wounds and unforced errors are consuming attention away from other DOJ/FBI achievements. Time is ticking away and something drastic needs to change immediately."

"It would be a huge loss for the country if we lost Dan Bongino at the FBI," TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk wrote in a post on X.

Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck made a similar appeal to Trump, urging him to put Bongino over Bondi.

"America can't lose Dan Bongino," Beck said in a post on Instagram. "He has so much credibility. Everybody knows him, loves him. Pam Bondi has created so much doubt and chaos in this whole thing. There's no reason for all of this."

"Either it's a massive cover-up, or she's just fouled this up every single time," Beck added. "Please, let's not lose Dan Bongino. If there's a choice — I hope not — but please, fire Pam Bondi. Keep Dan Bongino."

RELATED: Is the FBI salvageable? Here's what bureau insiders have to say

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Following Bondi's now-infamous Epstein memo, which the DOJ leaked to the Beltway corporate outlet Axios, the administration has spent days doing damage control. Trump reiterated his support for Patel and Bongino in a Truth Social post on Monday, though he notably refrained from providing Bondi with the same praise.

"The FBI, under the direction of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, is back to the basics: Locking up criminals, and cleaning up America’s streets." Trump said in the post. "We have the Greatest Law Enforcement professionals in the World, but 'Politics' and Corrupt Leadership often prevented them from doing their job. That is no longer the case, and now, they have been unleashed to do their jobs, and they are doing just that. Keep it up — MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!"

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

After Trump Landslide, GOP Senate Votes For Business As Usual In Leadership Race

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota was promoted from Republican Senate whip to majority leader on the second secret ballot.

Handwriting Expert Says White House Lawyer Wrote Note Cassidy Hutchinson Took Credit For

An expert hired by House investigators said Cassidy Hutchinson lied when claiming authorship of a note presented by the Jan. 6 Committee.

J6 ‘Praying Grandma’ Slammed With Six-Figure Fine And Probation For Walking Around Capitol

A Colorado grandmother was sentenced to a six-figure fine plus a year of probation for praying at the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021.

Court Docs Show Pics From Mar-A-Lago Raid Were Part Of Media Stunt

The FBI purchased glossy cover sheets to use in photos of authorities' unprecedented raid of former President Donald Trump.

Judge Resumes Gag Order Restricting Trump’s Speech On Political Persecution

The vague gag order chills the former president's ability to freely campaign on two of the most important issues ahead of the 2024 election.

Jan 6 cop claims he had a 'near-death experience,' but the actual video footage will make your BLOOD BOIL



Investigations into the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building are ongoing. The Department of Justice is unwavering in its commitment to investigate and prosecute those who need to be held accountable.

Will the DOJ exercise fairness and impartiality — as it has sworn to do — while it seeks truth?

It’s looking more and more like the answer to that question will be a definitive no.

Glenn Beck plays a clip of a CNN interview with U.S. Capitol police sergeant Aquilino Gonell as he gave a tearful account of his experience on January 6, 2022.

“I got hurt,” he told the interviewer, wiping tears from his eyes. “I thought I was gonna’ lose my life.”

He then went into detail about how he was “covered in pepper spray” and how “[his] hands were bleeding.”

Another clip shows him giving his testimony at a televised hearing, saying, “I, too, was being crushed by the rioters. I could feel myself losing oxygen and recall thinking to myself, ‘This is how I’m going to die.”’

Watching Gonell’s emotional accounts of that day, it’s hard not to immediately sympathize.

However, Glenn then invites journalist Julie Kelly to the show to discuss Gonell’s testimony and others like it.

What she reveals will make your blood boil.

“Officer Aquilino Gonell ... has been one of what I call ‘January 6 celebrity cops,’” she tells Glenn.

“He was one of four police officers/security guards who testified during the very first January 6 select committee televised hearing. The idea of that hearing was to make it sound like Trump supporters tried to kill police officers that day,” Kelly continues.

While Gonell told a horror story involving ghastly injuries to his head, shoulder, hands, and foot, some released footage tells a wildly different story.

“Footage that was obtained by Joe Hanneman at Epoch Times” reveals Gonell “walking around — no indication of any injury, no sign of pain” near the end of the day, after the building had already been evacuated.

In the footage, Gonell’s “hands are visible, there’s no bleeding, there’s no abrasions ... both shoulders are mobile,” and yet Gonell “has been a key figure in promoting the idea that police were almost killed on January 6,” Kelly says.

“He has been a government witness in trials of January 6 defendants,” she continues, “where he’s taken the stand under oath and talked about his injuries ... that were inflicted by Trump supporters — and he specifically says Trump supporters.”

Gonell’s testimony “has helped judges impose very long, harsh sentences against January 6 defendants,” Kelly adds.

What’s perhaps most upsetting, however, is that “the Department of Justice and Capitol police ... have designated all of this footage as highly sensitive government material; all of it has been under strict protective orders in court” and has only been released when it can be used to incriminate defendants.

“That seems like a miscarriage of justice,” says Glenn, clearly blown away at what he’s hearing.

To listen to their full conversation, watch the clip below.


Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

The FBI Knows What Car Was Used In J6 DNC Pipe Bomb, But Refuses To Identify Prime Suspect

'The slow progression of the FBI's investigation into the January 6 pipe bomb raises significant concerns,' Republican lawmakers wrote.

Think The FBI Deserves The Benefit Of The Doubt? This Laundry List Of Corruption Should Make You Think Again

A look at the FBI's last six years shows a pattern of irredeemable corruption.