The Dan Bongino Show Ep. 2488: “Shake Up At the DOJ”

Date: April 3, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino
Main Theme:
A deep-dive, no-nonsense breakdown of the sudden shakeup at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the record of outgoing AG Pam Bondi, what it means for the Trump administration and the conservative movement, how to judge government results vs. personalities, and a data-driven rebuttal to “nothing is happening” cynicism. Also included: a major jobs report and continued exposure of government inefficiency and fraud.

Episode Overview

Dan Bongino uses the latest DOJ shakeup as a jumping-off point for discussing how to evaluate public officials, the inner workings and accomplishments of the Department of Justice over the last year, and the dangers of personality-driven politics. He also debunks “doom and gloom” narratives from both the left and some on the right, while highlighting strong economic data, ongoing fraud crackdowns, and the battle over birthright citizenship. Bongino pushes for a focus on data, results, and accountability rather than emotional or conspiratorial takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Good Friday Reflections & Setting the Tone

• Opens with reflections on Good Friday, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the importance of perspective in the face of societal challenges.
• [00:03] “It's a good day before we start the show, to just stand back, take a really deep breath, and thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the unimaginable sacrifice he made for all of us.”
• Uses the crucifixion as a metaphor for perspective when confronting life’s hardships.

2. DOJ Shakeup: Methodical, Data-Driven Review

• Significant leadership change: AG Pam Bondi out, Deputy AG Todd Blanche as Acting AG.
• Bongino argues that government leadership (and especially DOJ performance) should be judged “by the spreadsheet” – results over personality.
• [08:20] “What I recommend you do when analyzing anything in politics is don't do what the left does and fall in love with personalities. ...We should just look at a series of results, numbers, data inputs, and produce and produce an output.”
• Outlines DOJ and FBI structure and emphasizes a non-emotional assessment of Bondi’s record.

DOJ Achievements under Bondi (2025–2026):

• Record Low Crime and Murder Rates
  [10:05] “The crime rate lowest in US history. ...The murder rate lowest ever in US history.”
• First Antifa Prosecutions for Terrorism
• Major Operations Targeting Child Predators
  • Operations “Restoring Justice” and “Enduring Justice” – “hundreds of child predators locked up, hundreds of children saved.”
    [11:50] “I personally worked with her and the DAG Todd Blanche ... on those.”
• Counterintelligence Successes against CCP-related Espionage and Bioweapons Threats
• Violent Crime Initiative (“Summerheat”)
  • Re-tasking FBI resources into local law enforcement for clearing warrants.
• Major Public Corruption Cases
  • Examples: arrests/prosecutions touching the NY Governor’s office, Gavin Newsom’s staff, New Orleans mayor, FL Congresswoman.
• Terror Disruptions
  • Notably foiled plots in Los Angeles and Detroit and indictments of high-profile targets (Comey, Bolton, Letitia James).

[12:45] “I'm not telling you what opinion to have or not on Attorney General Bondi. I'm just telling you the numbers. ... I'm not here to tell you how to think.”

DOJ Limitations and Challenges

• DOJ effectiveness limited by judicial branch (unlike executive-branch flexibility of DoD).
• Bottlenecks: many U.S. Attorney vacancies, jury nullification in liberal jurisdictions.

[16:50] “The justice system is contingent on variables the Justice Department doesn't control. ... We're not the Department of War.”

3. Potential AG Replacements: Who’s in the Running?

[22:30+]

• Todd Blanche (Acting AG, former DAG):
  • Praised as “ferociously loyal” to Trump and highly competent.
  • Bongino argues DAG is the best spot in DOJ for actual influence.
• Lee Zeldin (EPA Chief, ex-Rep):
  • “Unbelievably principled… military background… would be an amazing choice.”
• Judge Jeanine:
  • Key architect of the successful “Summer Heat” initiative.
  • Praised for legal prowess, authenticity, Trumpian candor.
• Emil Bove (Federal Judge):
  • “Principled beast” and “quiet assassin”—probably won’t be selected due to recent bench appointment, but highly regarded.
• Bongino warns against appointing US Senators to avoid opening up vulnerable seats ahead of challenging midterms.

[27:10] “I'm not telling anyone out there what to think. That's your job. ... Fall in love with results.”

4. The “Nothing is Happening” & Hidden Knowledge Grift: A Warning

[36:15+]

• Bongino launches a fierce takedown of commentators claiming “nothing is happening” or trading in “hidden knowledge” (vague hints, never receipts).
• Notable Quote:

  [39:50] “The hidden knowledge grifters are the exact same people who are the doomers. They go hand in hand. I’ve got hidden knowledge about problems in the Trump administration and why nothing is happening. Okay, say it ... Well, I can’t.”

• Highlight: Plays Nick Freitas clip debunking conspiratorial grifting.
• Emphasizes receipts and facts, not vague insinuations.

5. DOJ Fraud & Crime Crackdown: Highlighting Tangible Progress

• Praises appointment of Colin McDonald to lead DOJ fraud efforts.
• Showcases recent federal raids against healthcare fraud in California – $16 million recovered.
• Touts the effectiveness of cooperation between federal and state/local law enforcement, cautions against building a massive federal police force.
• ATM Jackpotting and Gangs:
  • DOJ charged 93 members of a Venezuelan gang with multimillion-dollar scheme.
• Citizen Journalism:
  • Chris Rufo and other independent reporters praised for exposing government waste, unemployment insurance scams, and welfare fraud.

[54:55] “Once you see the hidden knowledge scam, you'll never unsee it. ... I just gave you the data.”

6. Record Jobs Report & Economic Analysis

[31:04]

• Jobs Report:
  • 178,000 jobs added (vs. 60,000 expected); unemployment down to 4.3%; manufacturing up 15,000 jobs.
• Attributed to Trump administration’s deregulation, especially AI productivity gains and 401k regulatory freedom.
• Bongino frames these numbers as factual, direct contradictions to doomer narratives.

[31:45] “These are hard numbers. These numbers are stunning. What is happening right now? The answer is very simple. ... This is not an accident.”

7. Election Strategy: Rejecting “Doom and Gloom” & Data-Driven Optimism

[65:45+]

• Details risks of “giving up” on the midterms; points to CNN polling showing Democratic voters’ low confidence in their own Congressional leadership.
• [70:00] “Why would we be destroyed? The president’s had an amazing year. ... If we fight our asses off ... I think we’ve got a pretty damn good chance.”
• Stresses importance of birthright citizenship Supreme Court case; details existential threat if Democrats win and open the border + grant anchor baby citizenship.

8. Exposing Democrat “Replacement Theory” Tactics

[56:57+]

• Unpacks near-explicit efforts by Democrats in NY to spend $40 million counting illegal immigrants for 2030 Census to preserve or boost House seats and Electoral College power.
• Reminds audience: Democrats discuss “demographic destiny” and “replacement” in their own media and policy conversations.

9. Hypocrisy & Shifting Principles: Anti-Anti-Communist Theory

• Uses clip of Harry Reid (D-NV, 1993) decrying birthright citizenship—contrasts to current pro-open borders Dem Party.
• Ties to Ben Appel’s WSJ op-ed on critical theory and the left’s real goals.
• “Democrats are not principled; they only care about power.”

10. Media Bias & “Ox’s Gourd Effect”

[85:00+]

• Demonstrates how the mainstream press shifts tone based on political utility—vilifying someone until it’s politically advantageous to praise them.
• Urges listeners to spot these manipulations as a “Bongino Rule.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [08:20] “Don't fall in love with personalities...fall in love with results.”
• [12:45] “You pay us. You paid us. We worked for you.”
• [31:45] “These are hard numbers. These numbers are stunning.”
• [39:50] “The hidden knowledge grifters are the exact same people who are the doomers.”
• [70:00] “Why would we be destroyed? The President’s had an amazing year…”
• [75:12] Harry Reid (1993): “If you break our laws by entering this country without permission and give birth to a child, we reward that child with U.S. citizenship and guarantee a full access to all public and social services this society provides. And that's a lot of services. Is it any wonder that two thirds of the babies born at taxpayer expense at county run hospitals in Los Angeles are