FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino officially announced Wednesday that he will leave his position in January.
“I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” he said.
“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,” he added.
President Donald Trump hinted at the news on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews earlier in the afternoon, stating, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.”
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent with no prior FBI experience, was appointed by President Trump to serve as deputy director. Prior to Bongino, the role had been held for more than a century by someone who worked directly within the bureau, according to the FBI Agents Association. The position does not require Senate confirmation.
It is unclear who will replace Bongino in January.
NBC News reported that Bongino considered resigning in July after the FBI and Justice Department issued a joint memo declaring they had completed an “exhaustive” review of investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a late sex offender. The memo stated no additional charges would be filed against anyone else connected to Epstein’s case and that the agencies would not release further information.
Sources indicated Bongino engaged in a heated argument with Attorney General Pam Bondi following the memo’s release, an event criticized by some Trump supporters.
Before joining the administration, Bongino hosted a podcast where he alleged a massive cover-up involving Epstein’s files.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche refuted reports that Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel had been upset about the memo, writing on X: “All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
Bongino did not return to work for at least one day after his argument with Bondi but ultimately remained with the agency.
