FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly waived the requirement for polygraph tests for several political appointees, including Dan Bongino, who now serves as the bureau’s Deputy Director. This decision enabled Bongino, along with two other agents, to bypass a standard employment eligibility requirement that typically ensures the integrity and reliability of individuals in high-security positions.
According to an investigation by ProPublica, Patel granted waivers to Bongino, Marshall Yates, and Nicole Rucker, allowing them to assume their roles without undergoing the mandatory polygraph examinations. This has raised concerns given that all three appointees lack prior experience with the FBI, yet Bongino now ranks as the second-highest official in the agency, overseeing daily operations.
While Yates serves as the FBI’s liaison with Congress, Rucker acts as Patel’s personal assistant. In response to queries, FBI spokesperson Ben William denied that the trio had failed any polygraph tests, labeling such claims as “false.” However, he did not clarify whether the appointees had taken the tests or how their results were evaluated.
The issue of security clearances and background checks has come under scrutiny, particularly since an unnamed source indicated that Bongino and the others fell under the category of ‘Schedule C’ political appointees. Although this designation suggests a potential exemption from polygraph requirements, legal experts in national security contend that no such exemption exists.
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, took to social media to refute the claims of inadequate background checks, stating that he had previously held a security clearance while providing protection for both Democratic and Republican presidents. In a post on X, he asserted, “Claiming I was hired ‘with no background check’ is just a lie. It’s a complete fabrication.” He emphasized that all requisite background checks for his current position had been fulfilled.
Patel has not yet addressed the details surrounding the waivers. Notably, Bongino’s defense echoes Patel’s recent criticism of media coverage regarding his personal use of a private FBI jet valued at $60 million. Following reports that Patel utilized the jet for personal travel to attend concerts featuring his girlfriend, country music star Alexis Wilkins, he stated, “Let me be clear: we will not be distracted by baseless rumors or the noise from uninformed internet anarchists and the fake news.”
As the controversy unfolds, questions remain about the implications of these appointments and the standards applied to high-level positions within the FBI. The agency’s commitment to security and transparency in the recruitment of its personnel is now at the forefront of public scrutiny.
