Dan Bongino to Step Down as FBI Deputy Director in January

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino to Resign in January

In a surprising turn of events, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced his intention to resign from his position with the bureau in January. Bongino, who was appointed under the Trump administration, revealed his plans through a statement on X, extending his gratitude to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the “opportunity to serve with purpose.”

Bongino’s appointment to the FBI was unconventional. Traditionally, the role of deputy director is reserved for career agents with extensive experience within the bureau. However, neither Bongino nor his superior, Director Kash Patel, had any prior FBI experience. Bongino’s background includes time as a police officer and a Secret Service agent, along with a prominent presence as a pro-Trump, far-right podcaster known for promoting conspiracy theories.

Throughout his career as a podcaster, Bongino has been critical of the FBI, suggesting that it had been “weaponized” against conservatives and referring to its agents as “thugs.” Despite these controversies, his tenure saw significant developments, such as the recent arrest of an individual linked to the placement of pipe bombs near political headquarters on January 6, 2021. Further details about this arrest can be found in this article.

Bongino’s time at the FBI was marked by a dispute with the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. In an unprecedented move, the administration appointed Andrew Bailey, a former attorney general of Missouri, to serve as a co-deputy director alongside Bongino.

President Trump acknowledged Bongino’s contributions, stating, “Dan did a great job,” before mentioning Bongino’s potential return to his podcasting career. For more insight into Bongino’s tenure and his views on the FBI, read this related piece.