FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino Announces Resignation

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced on Wednesday his intention to resign from his position, effective in January. Bongino's appointment to the role in February 2025 was a departure from historical norms, as both he and FBI Director Kash Patel lacked prior experience within the bureau.

Announcement and Statements

Bongino announced his departure via a post on X (formerly Twitter). In the statement, he expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel "for the opportunity to serve with purpose." He also thanked "fellow Americans for the privilege to serve."

On the day of the announcement, President Trump stated that Bongino "did a great job" in office and suggested that Bongino intended to return to his media engagements, saying, "I think he wants to go back to his show."

"I think he wants to go back to his show."
— President Donald Trump

Background and Appointment

Dan Bongino was appointed FBI Deputy Director by President Trump in February 2025. His professional background includes service as a New York City police officer and a U.S. Secret Service agent, during which he was assigned to protect former President Barack Obama.

In recent years, Bongino developed a significant public presence through his podcast and other media platforms. He was known as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and had previously expressed criticism of the FBI, including characterizing the bureau as "weaponized" against conservatives and referring to its agents as "thugs."

His selection for the Deputy Director role, which traditionally oversees the FBI's daily operations, was noted as unconventional. The FBI Agents Association, representing approximately 14,000 current and former agents, had publicly voiced opposition to his appointment.

Prior Public Statements

Before joining the FBI, Bongino had publicly questioned the results of the 2020 election. He also raised doubts regarding the official investigation into the January 6, 2021, pipe bomb incident and the circumstances surrounding the 2019 death of Jeffrey Epstein. In July, the U.S. Justice Department and FBI released a memo concluding that Epstein died by suicide.

Tenure and Key Events

Bongino's tenure included several notable events:

• A reported disagreement with Justice Department leadership regarding the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
• The arrest of an individual suspected of placing two pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters on January 6, 2021.

Since the summer, Bongino served alongside a co-deputy director, Andrew Bailey, a former Attorney General of Missouri, in a co-deputy director arrangement implemented by the Trump administration.

"Thank you to President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose."
— Dan Bongino, via X