FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
propublica.org/article/fbi-kash-patel-dan-bongino-waived-polygraph
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Polygraph Waivers Granted to Top FBI OfficialsIn 2025, three senior FBI leaders, including Deputy Director Bongino, were exempted from mandatory polygraph exams for security clearance.
Key FactsNov 18, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: propublica.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: propublica.org
- FBI Director Kash Patel approved waivers exempting Dan Bongino and two other senior staff from required polygraph exams for classified access.
- Bongino assumed the second-highest FBI role without completing the agency’s standard background check process.
- Two additional employees who reportedly did not pass polygraphs were also granted high-level security clearances through waivers.
- A formal internal complaint was filed alleging these waivers violated FBI security policies.
Reports of disqualifying alerts on polygraphs by senior FBI officials — which require personal waivers from the highest levels of leadership to remain employed — are deeply alarming.— Senator Dick Durbin stated this in a comment to ProPublica regarding the implications of polygraph results for senior FBI officials.
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American political commentator and Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
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Key FactsSenior FBI Officials Granted Polygraph Waivers
Nov 18, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: salon.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: salon.com
- Deputy Director Dan Bongino and two other senior officials were exempted from polygraph tests normally required for sensitive clearance.
- Bongino oversees FBI operations nationwide and receives highly classified intelligence despite lacking prior bureau experience.
- Waivers for inconclusive or failed polygraph results in senior roles are unprecedented within the FBI’s history.
- Internal complaints about these exceptions have been filed and referred to the Department of Justice’s inspector general.
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