Dan Bongino has confirmed that he will resign as FBI Deputy Director in January 2026, ending a brief and sometimes turbulent tenure as the bureau’s No. 2 official under Director Kash Patel. Bongino’s departure was first publicly noted when he posted on social media that he would be leaving the FBI next month and thanked President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Patel for the opportunity to serve. He described his time in the position as purposeful and expressed gratitude to the American public for the chance to serve.
Bongino’s resignation follows reports that he had started clearing out his office as speculation mounted about his exit, and President Trump acknowledged the decision, telling reporters that Bongino “did a great job” and suggesting he wanted to return to his media career. Bongino had previously worked as a conservative commentator and host of The Dan Bongino Show before joining the FBI, and Trump’s remarks aligned with reporting that his departure would allow him to pursue media work again.
Before his stint at the FBI, Bongino was a Secret Service agent and New York City police officer, later gaining prominence as a conservative media figure who frequently criticized the FBI and Justice Department. His appointment as deputy director in March 2025 broke with tradition — neither he nor Director Patel had previously been career FBI agents, which was an unusual choice for the bureau’s leadership ranks.
During his tenure, Bongino clashed publicly and privately over several issues, including disputes related to the DOJ’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files. While some outlets reported that frustration over that matter and interactions with Attorney General Pam Bondi were among the factors complicating internal dynamics, neither Bongino nor the Justice Department publicly confirmed all details of those disagreements.
Bongino’s time as deputy director also occurred amid broader changes at the FBI under Trump appointees, including the appointment of a co-deputy director and the removal of many career agents and senior officials. These moves drew criticism from former law enforcement officials and resulted in public letters alleging political motivations in leadership decisions — although supporters framed the changes as necessary reforms.
The announcement sheds light on the personal and professional pressures that can accompany high-level federal positions, especially for someone transitioning from media to law enforcement leadership. Bongino’s departure reflects a mix of internal bureau dynamics, public adversity, and his own longstanding media identity, which many expect he will resume more fully following his resignation.
