WASHINGTON — PresidentDonald Trumpsaid he spoke to DeputyFBI DirectorDan Bongino, and the law enforcement official was "in good shape"amid the falloutfrom the Justice Department and FBI's announcement they have found no evidence that convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinkept a "client list." Bongino wasweighing his futurewith the bureau after clashing with Attorney GeneralPam Bondiover the Epstein case files,CNNandSemaforreported. Conservative influencers have criticized Bondi and FBI DirectorKash Patelfor their findings, which came months afterBondipledged to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including "a lot of names" and "a lot of flight logs." Asked by reporters on July 13 if Bongino was still his deputy FBI director, Trump told reporters: "Oh I think so. I did, I spoke to him today. Dan Bongino, very good guy. I've known him a long time. I've done his show many, many times. And he sounded terrific, actually. No, I think he's in good shape." The former Secret Service agent and conservative media personalitygave uphis podcast to join the Trump administration in March. The Justice Department released a report last week that said a "systematic review" of the disgraced financier "revealed no incriminating 'client list.'" The disclosure and Trump's subsequent defense of Bondi had the president's grassroots supporters and far-right figuresup in arms.MAGA supporters were enraged with Bondi over a statement she made on Fox News earlier in the year after she was asked about Epstein's client list and said that it was"sitting on my desk right now to review." Bondi told reporters on July 8 at a White House meeting: "I was asked a question about the client list and my response was, 'It's sitting on my desk to be reviewed,' meaning the file, not the client list." Trump had Bondi in his box on July 13 at the FIFA Club World Cup just before he spoke to reporters. Hesaid on Truth Socialthat the FBI "must be focused on investigating" other alleged crimes instead of "spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein." Bongino has not commented publicly on the reports of his future at the bureau. Patelsaid in an X poston July 12 that he planned to stay in his position. MAGA split:Trump rips 'so-called' friends' attacks on Bondi, tells MAGA to move on from Epstein Contributing: Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FBI's Dan Bongino 'in good shape' amid Jeffrey Epstein furor: Trump
