Dan Bongino, Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced his resignation from the position, effective January. Appointed in February, Bongino's tenure included a co-deputy director role and discussions surrounding the handling of certain investigations. His appointment was notable as the role is traditionally held by career agents within the bureau, and Bongino had no prior FBI experience.
Announcement of Departure
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced on Wednesday his intention to step down from his position, effective January. The announcement was made in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
In his statement, Bongino expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel "for the opportunity to serve with purpose." He also conveyed thanks to "fellow Americans for the privilege to serve."
President Trump commented on Bongino's departure prior to the announcement, stating that Bongino "did a great job" in office and suggested he "wants to go back to his show" or media engagements.
Background and Appointment
Bongino was appointed to the FBI Deputy Director role by President Trump in February. This position is the second-highest within the bureau, responsible for overseeing its daily operations.
His appointment was noted as a departure from traditional practice, as the role has historically been filled by career agents with prior experience within the FBI. Neither Bongino nor FBI Director Kash Patel had previous experience within the bureau. The FBI Agents Association, which represents approximately 14,000 current and former agents, had previously voiced opposition to Bongino's selection.
Prior to his appointment, Bongino's professional background included service as a New York City police officer and a U.S. Secret Service agent, where he was assigned to protect President Barack Obama. In recent years, he developed a public profile as a podcaster and through other media engagements, where he was known for his vocal support of Donald Trump.
Prior Public Stance and Statements
Before joining the FBI, Bongino had made public statements aligning with theories or questioning official accounts regarding several topics. These included:
- The results of the 2020 election.
- The official investigation into pipe bombs discovered near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters on January 6, 2021.
- The circumstances of Jeffrey Epstein's death in 2019. In July, the U.S. Justice Department and FBI released a memo concluding that Epstein died by suicide.
Additionally, Bongino had publicly criticized the FBI, describing the bureau as "weaponized" (against conservatives) and referring to its agents as "thugs."
Tenure and Developments
During his term as Deputy Director, Bongino's tenure included several notable events:
- He reportedly had a disagreement with Justice Department leadership concerning the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
- His time in the role also coincided with the arrest of an individual suspected of placing two pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters on January 6, 2021, prior to the U.S. Capitol assault.
- A further development during his tenure was the establishment of a co-deputy director position. In the summer, Andrew Bailey, a former Attorney General of Missouri, was appointed by the Trump administration to serve alongside Bongino in the No. 2 role.