The coach of Auburn University’s men’s basketball team, currently the top-ranked program in the country, posted in support of President Trump’s announcement Sunday that conservative commentator Dan Bongino would become the deputy FBI director.
“Congratulations to my friend and great patriot Dan Bongino. The bad guys best keep their head on a swivel!” Bruce Pearl said in a post on the social platform X on Sunday.
“Thank you my good friend,” Bongino responded to Pearl on X.
Pearl appeared on Bongino’s podcast as recently as March last year, when they discussed March Madness, the war in Gaza, and NIL rules, according to show notes.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday evening, “Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, by the man who will be the best ever Director, Kash Patel.”
Auburn’s men’s basketball sits atop the Associated Press poll of Division 1 college basketball teams, with a record of 25-2, edging out Duke University and the University of Florida.
Pearl also reposted a post on X from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in which the senator said he’s “known @dbongino for 14 years.”
“I think the world of him—he has incredibly sound judgment, the highest standards of integrity, and a work ethic like few people I’ve ever met,” Lee said in his post. “I can’t think of a better man serve as @Kash_Patel’s deputy at FBI.”
However, Democrats have blasted the appointment.
Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Bongino “a conspiracy theorist with zero FBI experience.”
A former Secret Service agent and New York City police officer turned right-wing pundit, Bongino has bragged of “owning the libs,” recently suggested Trump should defy a court order and has called the agency he will soon help lead “irredeemably corrupt.”
“Selecting another right-wing Fox personality and internet troll — Dan Bongino — as Deputy FBI Director means two things,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) wrote on X.
“Trump installs another loyalist who won’t say no to any immoral or unethical act. And our law enforcement agencies — and the public safety — are further degraded.”
