After months of speculation, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced his resignation on Wednesday.
“I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January,” Bongino wrote on X. “I want to thank President [Donald] Trump, AG [Pam] Bondi, and Director [Kash] Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. 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.”
Shortly before Bongino’s announcement, Trump told reporters that “Dan did a great job.”
“I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump said.
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, was the host of the syndicated radio program and podcast “The Dan Bongino Show.”
Bongino was reportedly angry with Bondi, the attorney general, over her handling of the Epstein files. The Daily Wire reported in July that Bongino threatened to leave if Bondi remained on the job.
Trump nominated Andrew Bailey, who at the time served as attorney general of Missouri, to serve as co-deputy director in August, which furthered rumors of Bongino’s impending departure.
Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, Bailey would only need to be on the job for 90 days from his appointment to qualify to be acting deputy director or acting director. Bailey was sworn in on Sept. 15, 93 days before Bongino announced his exit.
