Former Secret Service agent and commentator Dan Bongino has raised new questions about the FBI’s handling of the January 6 pipe bomber investigation, saying federal authorities had key information for years but made little visible progress.
Bongino discussed the issue alongside former Trump administration official Kash Patel, claiming the two were able to uncover significant details within months after reopening the matter.
In recent remarks, Bongino said he requested a full briefing on the case “15 minutes” after being sworn into his current role, emphasizing that he immediately directed investigators to identify and locate the suspect.
According to him, this launched a nine-month effort focused on obtaining “full accountability and transparency.”
“I don’t know what they were doing outside of targeting political opponents, weaponizing the FBI, destroying its reputation, [and] embarrassing agents that are doing really good work,” Bongino said.
He argued that the renewed investigation could only move forward once Department of Justice leadership and staff were fully engaged, noting that “you can’t do a lot without DOJ process.”
Patel has echoed these concerns, asserting that federal officials possessed actionable information that should have allowed the case to progress earlier.
The FBI has not responded publicly to Bongino’s latest comments. The January 6 pipe bomber—whose devices were found outside the RNC and DNC headquarters in 2021—has not yet been identified.
