Dan Bongino is finally shedding light on why he is walking away from the FBI, and the explanation is far more personal than many expected.
The outgoing FBI deputy director appeared on Fox & Friends Friday morning, where he offered candid remarks about the toll the job has taken on his personal life since joining the Trump administration.
“I gave up everything for this,” Bongino said, explaining that the demands of the position forced him to live apart from his wife while working in Washington, D.C.
Bongino made clear he was not looking for sympathy, but acknowledged the strain has been significant. He described spending long days isolated in his apartment, separated from his family, while grinding through the intense workload at the bureau.
“It’s hard,” Bongino admitted, adding that while he and his wife are not divorced, the physical separation has been emotionally taxing.
Bongino also described the grueling schedule inside FBI leadership, noting that Director Kash Patel routinely arrives before dawn and leaves late in the evening as part of the administration’s effort to overhaul the agency.
His comments offered a rare glimpse into the internal pressures facing Trump’s FBI leadership as it attempts to reshape the bureau after years of controversy.
Bongino’s exit comes amid reports of internal friction within the Justice Department, particularly surrounding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Multiple outlets have reported that Bongino clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the decision not to release additional Epstein materials, a move that angered many in the MAGA base.
According to reports, Bongino had been privately telling associates he planned to leave early next year and had already begun clearing out his office before the news became public.
President Donald Trump confirmed Bongino’s impending departure before Bongino addressed it himself, later praising him publicly, as the Conservative Brief reported.
“Dan did a great job,” Trump told reporters, adding that Bongino wanted to return to his media career.
In a statement posted on X, Bongino thanked Trump, Bondi, and Patel for the opportunity to serve, while also expressing gratitude to the American people.
“Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you,” Bongino wrote.
Before joining the FBI, Bongino was one of the bureau’s most vocal critics, frequently questioning its leadership and accusing the agency of political bias.
He also spent years casting doubt on the official account of Epstein’s death, suggesting a cover-up to protect powerful figures.
After taking his post, Bongino said he personally reviewed agency files and concluded that Epstein died by suicide and did not maintain a client list, a conclusion that alienated some of his longtime supporters.
In July, the FBI and DOJ announced they would not release further Epstein records after what they described as an exhaustive review, fueling further backlash.
Sources later said Bongino’s disagreements with Bondi intensified following that decision, prompting renewed speculation about his future.
Bongino’s departure marks another major change inside the FBI as Trump appointees continue a sweeping restructuring of federal law enforcement.
Since March, multiple senior officials have been removed, with some filing lawsuits claiming unlawful termination.
