Former Secret Service agent and conservative commentator Dan Bongino has raised concerns about a potential Justice Department effort to entrap conservative influencers in a purported Russian interference scheme. This follows the DOJ’s announcement of seizing 32 domains allegedly linked to a Russian influence campaign targeting both U.S. and international elections. On his podcast, Bongino warned that although no direct accusations have been made, conservatives should remain vigilant about possible entrapment.
“I’m not accusing anyone specifically,” Bongino said. “But I’d be remiss as a former federal agent to not warn people that given these accusations, are other people working with the feds right now to try to ensnare other conservative influencers into this alleged operation.”
Bongino’s warning followed the DOJ’s recent revelation that U.S. prosecutors had identified a Tennessee-based content creation company allegedly financed by Russian state interests. The Justice Department accused two employees of RT, a Russian state-owned media outlet, of channeling nearly $10 million to this company to create pro-Russian content. Prosecutors claim that the company’s influencers, possibly without their awareness, might have been used to promote Russian narratives.
Though the DOJ claims these influencers may have been unknowingly involved, Bongino isn’t taking any chances. He stressed the need for caution in the conservative space. “Be very careful who you’re emailing, and be very careful who you’re talking to,” Bongino warned. “You don’t know if the person on the other end is working with the feds on the other end of the line.”
The DOJ’s allegations involve several prominent influencers. Key figures from Tenet Media—Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, Lauren Southern, Tayler Hansen, and Matt Christiansen—boast substantial followings on platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), totaling over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 7 million followers on X. These accusations are part of the Biden administration’s broader effort to address Russian interference. However, the DOJ’s claim that RT employees covertly funded Tenet Media for pro-Russian propaganda has sparked skepticism among conservatives, who already perceive the DOJ’s actions as politically motivated.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of 32 internet domains linked to Russian government-directed influence campaigns, collectively known as “Doppelganger.” These operations, run by Russian entities like the Social Design Agency and Structura National Technology, were allegedly designed to spread propaganda to sway international support for Ukraine, promote pro-Russian policies, and interfere in elections, including the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. The seized domains were used to mimic legitimate media outlets, misleading viewers into engaging with Russian state-sponsored content.
This is not the first time the DOJ has leveled accusations of Russian interference. Since 2016, concerns over foreign influence in U.S. elections have been at the forefront, with Russia frequently at the center of such claims. But Bongino, along with others in the conservative space, sees these latest moves as part of a larger operation to discredit and silence conservative voices. For many on the right, the DOJ’s actions seem to be following a familiar pattern.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.