The Curious Evolution of Dan Bongino and Kash Patel on Epstein and the Truth
- Blake Sterling
- Jun 1
- 6 min read
Dan Bongino and Kash Patel rose to prominence in the eyes of many Americans as truth-tellers—men who once worked inside the system, then left it behind to expose its secrets from the outside. But today, both sit atop one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government, overseeing investigations they once vocally condemned. Now leading the FBI as Director and Deputy Director, Patel and Bongino are not only changing the tune—they’re controlling the whole soundtrack.
This transformation becomes even more intriguing when one considers their long-standing ties to government agencies that were, ironically, central to the very "deep state" narratives they once warned against. Their positions now give them tremendous control over cases like Jeffrey Epstein’s death and the files allegedly tying global elites to his trafficking network. The shift in tone—and in trust—cannot be ignored.
Prior Government Backgrounds (Before FBI Leadership):
Dan Bongino:
NYPD Officer (1995–1999)
U.S. Secret Service Agent (1999–2011), serving in the Presidential Protection Division
Ran for Congress multiple times as a Republican candidate
Became a high-profile conservative commentator and host of “The Dan Bongino Show”
Kash Patel:
Public Defender in Florida (mid-2000s)
DOJ National Security Prosecutor (2014 onward)
Senior Counsel, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (key role in the Russia probe)
Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense (Trump Administration)
Host of “Kash’s Corner” on EpochTV, often calling out corruption within federal agencies
These weren't your average outside critics; these were seasoned government operatives with deep knowledge of intelligence, law enforcement, and national security operations. That makes their media careers—and recent about-face—all the more suspicious.
What They Used to Say
Before becoming heads of the FBI, both men used their platforms to cast doubt on the official story surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death and suggest far-reaching conspiracies protected by powerful elites.
Dan Bongino, via podcast and Fox News appearances, regularly fanned speculation that Epstein didn’t die by suicide and that a cover-up was likely.
Kash Patel hinted in interviews and commentary that if he had access to the files, he would expose the real story. He criticized the lack of transparency and spoke openly about the possible existence of a hidden list of Epstein clients, questioning the government’s motives.
They were seen as champions of transparency, promising that if they were ever on the inside, they would burn the place down if it meant getting the truth.
What They Say Now
But once placed at the helm of the FBI in 2025, the firebrand rhetoric disappeared.
Bongino on Fox & Friends (2025): “He killed himself. I’ve seen the whole file. He killed himself.” He claimed forthcoming video footage would confirm Epstein was alone in his cell.
Patel, when questioned in a Senate hearing by Senator John Kennedy, simply replied: “Epstein killed himself.” He added that the videos and files would be released eventually, but with no sense of urgency or acknowledgment of the massive public distrust.
Attorney General Pam Bondi backed them up, stating that the FBI is still combing through “tens of thousands of videos,” many involving minors, and that they must protect victim identities—something critics say is a delay tactic designed to protect powerful figures.
Pam Bondi's tenure at Ballard Partners involved lobbying for several controversial clients, including foreign governments and corporations, which has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest during her subsequent role as U.S. Attorney General.
Controversial Clients and Lobbying Activities:
Government of Qatar: Bondi was a registered foreign agent for Qatar from 2019 to 2022, providing "advocacy services relative to U.S.-Qatar bilateral relations." During this period, Qatar faced international scrutiny over labor practices related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Bondi's role included lobbying on issues tied to human trafficking and labor reforms.
The GEO Group: This private prison company has been criticized for safety violations and inadequate healthcare. Bondi lobbied on their behalf, even as the Department of Justice had ongoing investigations into private prison conditions.
What is a foreign agent: A foreign agent under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is someone who:
Works on behalf of a foreign government, company, or individual, and
Tries to influence U.S. public policy, lawmaking, media, or public opinion in a way that benefits that foreign client.
Pam Bondi, while working at Ballard Partners, was registered under FARA to act as a lobbyist for the government of Qatar. That means she was legally required to disclose her activities and whom she was lobbying on behalf of. It does not mean she was a spy or traitor. But it does mean she was acting in the interest of a foreign government—Qatar in this case—inside the United States.
What does it mean that she lobbied “on issues tied to human trafficking”?
This language is intentionally vague, but here’s what it most likely means:
Qatar had been under international criticism for labor practices, especially regarding migrant workers preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Human rights groups claimed these practices resembled forced labor or human trafficking, such as:
Confiscated passports
Dangerous living conditions
Lack of pay
Pam Bondi, as a lobbyist, would have worked to improve Qatar’s image in the U.S., possibly by:
Meeting with lawmakers or State Department officials
Highlighting “reforms” Qatar said it was making
Downplaying or countering negative press
Suggesting that Qatar was partnering with the U.S. to fight trafficking, even while critics argued they were part of the problem
These jobs usually involve helping an entity (Qatar) craft a public relations and legal strategy to avoid sanctions, improve diplomatic ties, and protect business interests.
The Operation Mockingbird Connection?
All of this has reignited concerns about Operation Mockingbird, the CIA’s controversial Cold War-era program designed to influence domestic and foreign media—and, by extension, shape public opinion. While its full reach is still debated, there’s no question that the U.S. government once embedded operatives in the media to steer public perception. Given that both Bongino and Patel have now occupied roles in law enforcement, national security, and conservative "media", the question arises: are they modern-day manifestations of this strategy?
When outsiders become insiders, and once-critical voices become mouthpieces for government narratives, the parallels are hard to ignore.
Both men built trust by appearing to rebel against a corrupt system. Now, they are tasked with defending that system. And when it comes to the Epstein files—a case long marred by secrecy, sudden deaths, and suppressed evidence—they are asking the public to take their word for it. The same public they once taught to question everything.
It’s possible that the truth can be more complicated than conspiracy. It’s also possible that, once behind the curtain, they saw things, maybe told things, that made them change their minds. But it’s equally possible that what looked like rebellion was simply redirection—a narrative management strategy as old as Mockingbird itself. Maybe they were insiders posing as outsiders all along gaining the trust of skeptics, only to guide them back toward the very narrative they once claimed to oppose.
***No direct evidence ties Patel or Bongino to an active disinformation campaign. But the contrast between their former defiant media personas and their current institutional loyalties raises legitimate questions. The facts presented here are based on public statements, government records, and direct quotes. Readers are encouraged to draw their own conclusions, ask hard questions, and follow the evidence—no matter where it leads.***
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