FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced he will resign in January, ending a brief and controversial tenure that began in February. His departure comes amidst significant upheaval at the FBI, including other high-profile resignations and criticisms directed at FBI Director Kash Patel, particularly concerning his use of government resources and social media activity. Bongino's resignation was anticipated and he confirmed it in a post on X, thanking President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. His personal effects were reportedly cleared from his office as of last week.
Bongino, a Trump ally and former Secret Service agent, was an unusual choice for the deputy director role as he lacked prior FBI agent experience. His time at the bureau was fraught with controversy, including clashes with the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and facing backlash for backtracking on claims of a secret client list. He also received criticism for advancing conspiracy theories related to the Jan. 6 pipe bombing case on his podcast, which he later refuted after an arrest was made. Many FBI agents reportedly viewed his leadership as out of depth, with some anticipating his departure.
The resignation is one of the most significant during the Trump administration, especially as Patel faces ongoing scrutiny over a purge of senior executives, a lawsuit, and congressional hearings regarding agency stability and resource allocation. In an unusual move, a co-deputy director, Andrew Bailey, was appointed in August to serve alongside Bongino. Speculation suggests Bongino may return to podcasting, a venture that reportedly made him $160 million previously. The Justice Department is also facing a December 19 deadline to release investigative materials related to Epstein, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
