Former FBI Director James Comey sharply criticized the bureau’s current leadership, particularly Deputy Director Dan Bongino, for announcing the reopening of several high-profile public corruption cases via social media. In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Comey questioned the professionalism of disclosing investigative activity in such a manner, suggesting it was more tailored to Bongino’s past audience as a conservative commentator than to standard FBI protocol. Bongino had tweeted that the FBI is now focusing renewed attention on three cases: the unsolved 2021 DNC/RNC pipe bomb incident, the 2023 cocaine discovery in the White House, and the leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Comey questioned the FBI’s involvement in two of those cases, noting that the Supreme Court and Secret Service had previously led the investigations.
Comey expressed skepticism about Bongino’s qualifications, mocking his transition from podcasting to FBI leadership and voicing concern over the direction of the agency. He emphasized that cases like the pipe bomb investigation were likely never closed and criticized the lack of clarity about the FBI’s role in the other two. He also voiced doubt about both Bongino and FBI Director Patel, saying he had “no faith” in either man’s leadership. Comey called on career officials within the bureau to guide current leadership, implying that political appointees may be compromising the agency’s integrity. Some observers believe Comey’s recent media appearances may be part of an effort to rehabilitate his image amid renewed scrutiny of his past actions and alleged threats against former President Trump.
