Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has drawn criticism for remarks made on Fox News regarding public school teachers and student performance. Bongino, who has since returned to podcasting after a less than 10-month tenure as the FBI's second-in-command, claimed that 50% of students in Chicago public schools cannot read at grade level.
During his appearance, Bongino used the phrase "epic fail" to describe the education system, stating, "Your only job is to teach kids. That’s why it’s called the education system. And kids leave your school and they’re like, ‘Hey can anyone here read?’ Maybe half of them, but the other half can’t even read or do math. You’re like, ‘Brother, you had one job!’"
Critics on social media platform X argued that Bongino's comments constituted a "self-own." Some users suggested that Bongino's "one job" was to release files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, referring to his previous tenure at the FBI. Bongino had previously promoted claims about Epstein on his podcast, suggesting "more than meets the eye" and that a "client list" would cause people to "lose their minds." After joining the FBI under President Donald Trump, he reportedly attempted to downplay the potential revelations from the Epstein case and privately clashed with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department's handling of the files.
Other critics remarked on Bongino's departure from the FBI, with one user writing, "Guy who quit his one job has thoughts on employment."