FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced his resignation on Dec, 17, bringing an end to a tenure of less than one year in the bureau’s second-highest position.
His departure comes amid reports of tensions with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigative materials.
Bongino will leave the FBI in January.
His exit marks the conclusion of what proved to be a controversial period as the Trump administration worked to restructure federal law enforcement agencies.
MS NOW first reported that Bongino had informed associates of his plans to depart early next year.
The outlet noted that he had begun removing personal items from his office.
USA Today subsequently referenced the initial reporting.
President Donald Trump appeared to acknowledge Bongino’s departure before Bongino made a public statement.
Bongino posted on X thanking Trump, Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for the chance to serve in the role.
“Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you,” Bongino wrote in his statement.
When reporters questioned Trump about Bongino on Dec. 17, the president offered praise for his outgoing deputy director.
“Dan did a great job,” Trump said.
The president added that Bongino intended to return to his previous work hosting his show.
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Bongino built a national following as host of The Dan Bongino Show before entering government service.
His background includes time as a Secret Service agent and service with the New York City Police Department.
He became a prominent voice supporting Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
Since March, Bongino participated in overseeing significant changes to federal law enforcement.
The Trump-appointed leadership moved to restructure both the FBI and Justice Department.
After Patel took over as FBI director with Bongino serving as his deputy, multiple senior bureau officials were dismissed from their positions.
Those removed included a former acting FBI director and other high-ranking leaders.
The administration accused these officials of allowing political bias to influence the agency.
Several of the terminated officials subsequently filed a federal lawsuit claiming their dismissals violated the law.
Prior to his appointment, Bongino frequently criticized both the FBI and Justice Department.
He focused particular attention on their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bongino publicly raised questions about whether Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Bongino suggested the possibility of a cover-up designed to shield powerful individuals connected to Epstein.
After assuming his position at the FBI, Bongino stated he examined bureau materials and determined that Epstein died by suicide.
He also concluded that Epstein did not maintain a client list.
The FBI and Justice Department announced in July they would not release additional Epstein files.
Officials described their review as exhaustive. The decision sparked anger among many who had supported Bongino over the years.
Media reports indicated that Bongino disagreed with Bondi regarding the decision not to release the files.
Sources suggested he considered stepping down over the matter.
MAGA influencer Laura Loomer stated on X that both Bongino and Patel expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the Justice Department handled the situation.
Bongino encountered additional scrutiny earlier in December after authorities arrested a suspect in the January 6, 2021 pipe bombing case.
The arrest contradicted Bongino’s earlier public speculation that the incident might have involved inside actors.
Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Bongino addressed the difference between working as a commentator and serving in law enforcement.
He acknowledged that his responsibilities changed fundamentally.
He said that as deputy director, investigations must be driven by facts, not commentary.
The White House announced in August that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey would assume a role as a second deputy FBI director.
Bureau observers interpreted the appointment as an indication that Bongino’s influence within the administration had diminished.
