Dan Bongino Announces Departure from Role as FBI Deputy Director

Fri Dec 19 2025 03:34:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Dan Bongino, appointed as the FBI's deputy director by Donald Trump, will leave his position in January, expressing gratitude towards Trump and others for his service.

Dan Bongino has confirmed that he will step down as deputy director of the FBI in January. The announcement came through a post on social media where Bongino thanked President Trump, the FBI director, and the US attorney general for the opportunity to serve. His departure follows an influential tenure in which he was known for his controversial positions and strong support for Trump. While details surrounding his resignation were minimal, Bongino's work at the FBI, including critical investigations like the pipe bomb case, was highlighted by FBI Director Kash Patel.

Dan Bongino has confirmed that he will step down from his role as the FBI's deputy director in January.

In a post on X, Bongino expressed gratitude towards President Donald Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, and US Attorney General Pam Bondi for the chance to serve. His resignation comes without any explicit reason provided in his announcement.

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump remarked that Bongino had done a great job in his position and stated that he was looking to return to his podcast.

Bongino, who was appointed in February, gained notoriety as a podcast host before his tenure at the FBI. His prior experience included being a New York City police officer and a US Secret Service agent protecting former President Obama.

Though considered a surprise pick, Bongino, a loyal Trump supporter, has faced opposition from the FBI Agents Association, which represents around 14,000 current and former agents due to his lack of experience within the agency.

In his social media message, Bongino stated: I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG [Pam] Bondi, and Director [Kash] Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. He also expressed gratitude towards the American people.

Prior to his role, Bongino voiced conspiracy theories regarding Trump’s claims about the 2020 election results and the January 6 insurrection. During his time at the FBI, he pushed to prioritize investigations such as the pipe bomb case linked to the January 6 events.

Despite a contentious relationship with some views within the agency, Director Patel praised Bongino, stating he served as a voice for transparency and made significant advancements in unsolved cases.

Bongino's shift in stance regarding events such as the death of Jeffrey Epstein also drew attention. Initially, he questioned the circumstances of Epstein’s death but later clarified his views after accessing the relevant files.

Bondi emphasized that Americans are safer because of Bongino's service, marking a notable conclusion to his FBI tenure.