Announcement of Departure
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed on Wednesday that he will be leaving his position next month, following weeks of speculation regarding his future.
In a post on X, Bongino stated, “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose.”
He added, “Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you. God bless America, and all those who defend Her.”
Earlier in the day, President Trump commented that he believed Bongino was ready to move on from the FBI. “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump remarked.
Before joining the FBI, Bongino was well-known as a radio host and podcaster and had also contributed to Fox News.
According to two sources within the FBI familiar with the situation, Bongino’s relationships with his subordinates had become strained. One source noted that he seemed more focused on social media than fulfilling his duties as deputy director.
Bongino has reportedly been preparing for his exit for five months after a public disagreement with Bondi regarding her management of Epstein-related files.
A source indicated that Bongino had begun clearing out his office and expressed disinterest in continuing at the bureau. “He didn’t want to be there,” they said.
An additional source mentioned that some colleagues considered him a poor fit for the role and noted that his office had been largely emptied out.
The conversation surrounding Bongino’s departure intensified after Trump appointed former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as co-deputy director in August. Bailey would only need 90 days in this role to qualify for acting deputy director or acting director positions.
Bongino and Patel have faced ongoing criticism regarding their leadership styles. A recent report from an alliance of current and former FBI personnel described the bureau as “rudderless,” which prompted Bongino to criticize media coverage of an internal report detailing these issues.
