Fact Check: Trump taps new Deputy Director of the FBI to run the DOJ's Office of Special Projects. true false or partly false

Fact Check: "Trump taps new Deputy Director of the FBI to run the DOJ's Office of Special Projects"

What We Know

The claim that "Trump taps new Deputy Director of the FBI to run the DOJ's Office of Special Projects" is misleading. President Donald Trump appointed Dan Bongino as the Deputy Director of the FBI, but there is no evidence that he is tasked with running the DOJ's Office of Special Projects. Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent and conservative commentator, was appointed to the FBI role on February 24, 2025, as confirmed by multiple sources including AP News and BBC. His appointment does not require Senate confirmation, and he will serve under newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel, another Trump ally (BBC, AP News).

The Office of Special Projects is a division within the DOJ that handles various sensitive investigations and operations, but the Deputy Director of the FBI does not typically oversee this office. Instead, the Deputy Director is responsible for the FBI's day-to-day operations and law enforcement efforts (FBI).

Analysis

The claim conflates two distinct roles: the Deputy Director of the FBI and the management of the DOJ's Office of Special Projects. While Bongino has been appointed as Deputy Director of the FBI, there is no official information or credible sources indicating that he will oversee the DOJ's Office of Special Projects. The FBI and DOJ are separate entities, each with its own leadership structure and responsibilities.

Bongino's appointment has raised concerns regarding his lack of traditional FBI experience, as he has never served in the agency, which is atypical for someone in this role (AP News). Critics have pointed out that both he and Patel are seen as loyalists to Trump, which could potentially impact the political independence of the FBI (BBC). Furthermore, Bongino has been a vocal supporter of Trump's controversial claims regarding the 2020 election, which raises questions about his impartiality in law enforcement matters (AP News, NBC News).

The sources used to verify this claim are credible, including major news outlets like AP News and BBC, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the claim itself is based on a misunderstanding of the roles and responsibilities of the FBI and DOJ.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump taps new Deputy Director of the FBI to run the DOJ's Office of Special Projects" is False. While Dan Bongino has indeed been appointed as Deputy Director of the FBI, he is not responsible for the DOJ's Office of Special Projects. This misrepresentation of his role leads to confusion about the structure and functions of these two important federal agencies.