Dan Bongino says he fears 'federal prison' after FBI stint, claims enemies could come for him

WASHINGTON, DC: Former FBI Co-Deputy Director Dan Bongino says his year inside the Federal Bureau of Investigation left him with something he did not expect- fear.

Speaking in a new interview with Sean Hannity on Tuesday, April 28, Bongino described his post-FBI life as one filled with constant anxiety, saying the work he carried out alongside FBI Director Kash Patel has convinced him that powerful enemies may eventually try to punish him.

The former bureau official said that the possibility of legal retaliation now sits in the back of his mind almost every day.

Bongino's remarks from the 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity' podcast have been gaining attention on social media.

Dan Bongino opens up about life after the FBI

Appearing on Hannity's podcast, Bongino dropped some of his most personal remarks yet about his time inside the bureau.

“I’m scared, man,” Bongino said. “I know what I did. And I’m proud of my work. And I am proud of what me and Kash accomplished in the past year.”

He then revealed what weighs on him most. “It comes to my mind every day,” he said. “They’re going to come for me.”

Bongino claimed his fears go beyond political criticism, saying he worries the justice system itself could one day be used against him.

“I think about federal prison,” he said. “I live like this the rest of my life because I know how they are.” He also said he and Patel took legal precautions while working inside the bureau.

“We brought in outside counsel. We did everything by the book,” Bongino told Hannity, before adding “It doesn’t matter. They’ll rewrite the book.”

In one of the most alarming moments of the interview, Bongino said he has even discussed those fears with his wife.

“I worry they’re going to send some thugs to my house,” he said, adding that he fears future political shifts could trigger retaliation against officials tied to the Trump-era FBI.

Dan Bongino's stint at the FBI

Bongino served at the FBI from March 2025 until January 2026, joining the bureau with promises to restore public trust and bring greater accountability to the agency.

Since leaving, he has repeatedly claimed he faced resistance from within, describing some officials as “snakes” who were leaking internal information to the media.

Dan Bongino’s remarks follow a turbulent stretch marked by leadership shakeups and internal criticism within the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During that period, reports alleged that senior figures, including Bongino, focused more on media battles than internal management.

He faced sharp pushback from anonymous officials before eventually departing and returning to conservative media, where he revived his show and TV presence.