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Dan Bongino stunned audiences with a shocking revelation on the Hannity podcast released Tuesday. The former FBI Deputy Director admitted planting fake details to identify internal leakers he called “snakes.” His confession exposes a deliberate deception strategy at the top of America’s premier law enforcement agency.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Fake Details Tactic: Bongino shared false information about his whereabouts and schedule to catch media leakers
- Interview Platform: Revealed the strategy on the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast released April 28, 2026
- Two FBIs Theory: Described a divided agency with “good FBI” agents and others he called “snakes”
- FBI Tenure: Served nearly one year as Deputy Director, joining in March 2025 and departing in January 2026
The “Two FBIs” Inside the Bureau
Bongino told Sean Hannity that when he arrived at the FBI, he quickly identified two distinct groups within the agency. The first consisted of agents investigating violent crimes against children and white-collar offenses. The second group frustrated him deeply.
“And then you had this other FBI which was populated with, to say, unfortunately, snakes is being nice,” Bongino explained on the podcast. According to Bongino, he and FBI Director Kash Patel struggled to determine which individual agents belonged to each category, making trust decisions extremely difficult.
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A Sting Operation Against Internal Threats
Bongino described how distinguishing loyal agents from potential leakers proved nearly impossible during his first weeks in the bureau. He and Patel sometimes consulted outside sources for guidance, but those recommendations were often wrong.
“It happened a couple times where they’d say, ‘Oh, you can trust John Smith,’ right?” Bongino recounted. “And you trust John Smith, and then a week later, you see like a leak in the media, and you’d be like, I’m pretty sure that came from John Smith.”
How Bongino Caught the “Snakes”
To root out leakers, Bongino devised what he called a “little game.” The strategy involved creating fake but innocuous details about his schedule and whereabouts, then selectively sharing them with different people. When false information appeared in the media, he immediately knew which person had leaked it.
| Element | Details |
| Method Used | Spreading fabricated but mundane personal details |
| Target | Suspected “snake” agents leaking to media |
| Outcome | Identified leakers through media publication timing |
| Exposure | Direct confrontation with suspected individuals |
“It was like we would play this little game… So, it was like we had to play this little game,” Bongino said, describing how he and Patel managed internal counter-intelligence operations.
— Dan Bongino, Former FBI Deputy Director
Bongino’s Controversial FBI Leadership Record
Bongino’s admission comes amid widespread criticism of his FBI tenure. A December 2025 report from active-duty and retired FBI agents described both him and Director Patel as “spending too much time on social media and public relations.” Some sources even labeled him “something of a clown.”
The Atlantic magazine published a recent profile detailing alleged patterns of drinking, unexplained absences, and paranoia among FBI leadership. Patel subsequently sued the magazine for defamation. Bongino himself departed the bureau in January 2026 following a reported dispute with Attorney General Pam Bondi over classified Jeffrey Epstein files release procedures.
What Happens Next for the Former Deputy Director?
Since stepping down from the FBI, Bongino has made a dramatic return to public prominence. He relaunched his daily two-hour talk show on Rumble and rejoined Fox News as a contributor within weeks of his departure. His podcast appearance with Hannity marks a major public statement about his tumultuous time leading federal law enforcement.
Questions persist about whether Bongino’s leaked deception tactics were officially authorized by FBI leadership or if they represent a rogue operation conducted without proper oversight.
Sources
- The Hill – Reporting on Dan Bongino’s podcast admission regarding FBI leak detection tactics
- Fox News – Coverage of the “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast episode and two FBIs revelation
- ABC News/Yahoo News – Details on Bongino’s FBI departure and subsequent return to media
