Dan Bongino, the former FBI deputy director and one-time Fox News Channel weekend host, is returning to the cable-news network as a contributor, the network confirmed on Monday, February 9, 2026. Bongino's comeback marks a shift back to the traditional media sphere, where his popularity initially stemmed from his background as a New York City police officer and his tenure as a U.S. Secret Service agent. He has also hosted popular radio programs, and his old show was used to replace the long-running show hosted by Rush Limbaugh. A one-hour radio show Bongino did for Westwood One also ran at one time on the Fox Nation streaming service.
Bongino's first stint as a contributor at Fox News began in 2019, and by 2021, he was hosting the weekend program "Unfiltered With Dan Bongino." However, he left the company in 2023, citing difficulties in agreeing on new terms for his next contract. He expressed his sentiment on his podcast, stating, "You know, I’ve been there doing hits and working there for ten years… so the show ending was tough. And I want you to know it’s not some big conspiracy. I promise you. There’s no acrimony. This wasn’t some WWE brawl that happened. We just couldn’t come to terms on an extension."
Despite his departure, Bongino's return to Fox News as a contributor is significant, especially given his right-leaning political stance and his potential to discuss high-profile cases, such as the missing mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, on the show "Hannity." This move highlights the network's strategy to bring back familiar faces and maintain a strong lineup of contributors.
