Bongino, Trump’s pick for No. 2 at FBI, ripped GOP senators

Dan Bongino, the radio and podcast host tapped by President Trump to serve as deputy FBI director, has ripped Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) in the past, attacks that will draw more attention to his controversial nomination.

Speaking on his program, “The Dan Bongino Show,” in 2021, Bongino slammed Cassidy as “a dreadful RINO [Republican in name only] senator” during a conversation with radio personality Moon Griffon about the bipartisan push for a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, one of former President Biden’s biggest accomplishments.

Bongino bashed Murkowski last month after she voted against Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Defense, calling her a “disgrace to humankind” and “a total fraud” on the social platform X.

He argued her Alaska seat “is the one seat where we’re almost better off with a Democrat.”

Trump announced his nomination of Bongino on his Truth Social platform Sunday evening, touting him as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.”

The president noted Bongino’s master’s degree in psychology from the City University of New York, his Master's of Business Administration from Penn State University and his past work as a member of the New York Police Department and U.S. Secret Service.

News of the nomination elicited immediate skepticism from Democrats, such as Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

“Trump has chosen grifters to lead the FBI,” Murphy posted on X.

“Kash Patel sells ‘K$SH’ branded merch, vaccine reversal pills. Dan Bongino’s entire show is telling listeners the world is ending so they buy the dozens of survivalist products he sells,” Murphy wrote, referring to newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel.

“I know this feels like a bad dream. It isn’t,” he added.

Conservative Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) praised Bongino’s judgment and work ethic.

“I’ve known @dbongino for 14 years. I think the world of him — he has incredibly sound judgment, the highest standards of integrity, and a work ethic like few people I’ve ever met. I can’t think of a better man to serve as @Kash_Patel’s deputy at FBI,” Lee posted on X.

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