Just a week into his new role, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is already making headlines with a major narcotics bust in Texas and the arrest of a controversial FBI agent at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
On Thursday, Bongino took to social media to highlight the success of the FBI’s Houston division, which seized a staggering 150 kilograms of narcotics in a single week. He praised the agents for their dedication and effectiveness, signaling a tough-on-crime stance under his leadership.
“Our @FBIHouston team is doing unbelievable work getting illegal drugs off the streets. 150 KILOS of narcotics seized just this week — and two successful operations this morning,” Bongino wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank you, agents. You are making America safe. Because of you, it’s a bad day to be a bad guy.”
While Bongino celebrated law enforcement successes, another dramatic development unfolded in New York. Jonathan Buma, a 15-year veteran of the FBI and counterintelligence specialist, was detained at JFK Airport before he could leave the country. Buma, who previously accused the Trump administration of political bias and suggested that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had been “compromised” by Russian agents, now faces serious legal trouble.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday alleges that Buma illegally accessed and printed approximately 130 classified FBI files in October 2023, including eight reports containing sensitive intelligence on a foreign adversary. The complaint further claims that some of this information—marked with strict protection warnings—was leaked to the media. Additionally, Buma allegedly saved screenshots of encrypted conversations with a confidential source, which later appeared in a news article.
Adding to the controversy, Buma reportedly told supervisors he was taking an unpaid leave of absence to write a tell-all book. The complaint states that the draft contained sensitive national security details related to a foreign nation’s weapons of mass destruction program. Authorities believe he intended to disclose classified FBI operations in his book, prompting his abrupt arrest before he could flee the country.
Meanwhile, Bongino wasted no time making an impact in his new role at the FBI. Shortly after being sworn in, he visited the FBI’s Wall of Honor, where he paid tribute to fallen agents—a move that quickly garnered widespread praise from law enforcement supporters. The FBI’s official social media account shared the moment, stating:
“After his swearing-in ceremony as FBI Deputy Director, Dan Bongino paid his respects at the Wall of Honor, honoring the brave members of the #FBI who made the ultimate sacrifice and reflecting on the legacy of those who paved the way in the pursuit of justice and security.”
Bongino’s appointment as FBI Deputy Director represents a major shift in the bureau’s leadership. The former NYPD officer, Secret Service agent, and conservative talk show host was appointed last month by President Donald Trump. His selection—alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi—signals the administration’s focus on restoring law and order.
Trump officially announced Bongino’s appointment on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“Great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice! Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, by the man who will be the best ever Director, Kash Patel. Dan has a Master’s Degree in Psychology from C.U.N.Y. and an MBA from Penn State. He was a member of the New York Police Department (New York’s Finest!), a highly respected Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, and is now one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country, something he is willing and prepared to give up in order to serve.”
As Bongino and Patel take charge of the FBI, many anticipate a renewed focus on law enforcement efficiency, transparency, and accountability. With high-profile arrests and major drug busts already underway, their leadership marks the beginning of what could be a transformative era for the bureau.