Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino spoke about threats against the president and the broader political climate, drawing on his experience in protective intelligence and his observations of how such rhetoric is addressed across the political spectrum.
Bongino, who said he spent more than a decade with the Secret Service, described his work handling cases involving threats to national leaders.
“Uh, listen, having been an agent for over 12 years in the Secret Service, excuse me, 12 years and having spent a good amount of time in a protective intelligence squad where you actually go out and interview these people who threaten the president on protect these,” he said.
He argued that there is a difference in how political rhetoric is treated depending on the source.
“I think there’s an assumption on the left where there’s no shame in threatening the President’s life on the left,” Bongino said.
He added, “So this isn’t a both sides think so we can just cut that garbage out right now and just stop the nonsense.”
According to Bongino, statements implying violence are addressed differently among mainstream figures on the right.
“On the right, okay, on any respected kind of mainstream figure on the right, if you were to go out and even imply someone should be physically hurt on the left for their ideas, you’re almost instantly shamed out of the movement,” he said.
He continued, “There is no such corresponding effect on the left.”
Bongino referenced an example of a public figure who, he said, has promoted violent responses in political discourse.
“You just mentioned the name. I don’t want to mention this guy’s name because he’s such a zero, but he’s out there implying that, you know, physical violence is okay and is a means of fighting back against a man or systemic discrimination or whatever crap they throw out there,” he said.
He added that such rhetoric has been given a platform in certain media environments.
“And not only Rachel, is there no shame, you’re welcomed in open arms on mainstream left wing podcast where they’re like, Hey, come on in and spew this bile out there,” Bongino said.
Bongino contrasted that with standards he says are applied in conservative media settings.
“There is no such corresponding movement on the right,” he said.
He continued, “There is no both sides. Folks, stop telling yourself that it’s not true.”
He emphasized that networks he has worked with would not permit such language.
“You would never be allowed on this network,” Bongino said.
He added, “You work here. I’ve worked here a long time. You would never be allowed in this network. Even joking around about that stuff, you’d be gone.”
He concluded by reiterating his view that comparisons between the two sides are inaccurate.
“They pull you off mid segment. They don’t allow that stuff. It’s not a both sides thing. It is garbage,” Bongino said.
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