FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced his upcoming resignation from the position next month, bringing an end to his relatively brief and occasionally turbulent time as the bureau’s second-in-command. This decision was shared by Bongino on social media shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Bongino may be looking to return to his previous role hosting a prominent right-wing podcast before joining the FBI.
Unlike the traditional path of career agents ascending through the ranks, Bongino’s appointment as the FBI’s Deputy Director raised eyebrows, particularly among groups like the FBI Agents Association, which represents around 14,000 agents. Despite initial objections, FBI Director Kash Patel reassured that a career agent would eventually fill the role.
Expressing gratitude, Bongino thanked President Trump, Director Patel, and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the opportunity to serve with a sense of purpose. In response, Patel praised Bongino as an exceptional partner in the bureau’s efforts to restore its operations, highlighting his significant contributions in surpassing expectations.
During his time as a podcaster, Bongino had propagated various conspiracy theories that later resurfaced to challenge his credibility following his elevation to a position of authority. Notably, his assertions regarding the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and his comments related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein drew controversy.
Bongino previously stirred controversy by suggesting that the pipe bomb incidents at the Democratic and Republican national committee offices ahead of the Capitol riot were orchestrated by the FBI, a claim he later retracted after the arrest of a suspect in the case. This incident, along with his association with debunked conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, has cast doubt on Bongino’s tenure at the FBI since July.
The Justice Department and FBI leadership jointly released a memo in July that reversed a prior commitment to disclose investigative records on Epstein, discrediting several conspiracy theories endorsed by Bongino on his podcast. This move led to backlash from some of Trump’s supporters who adhered to these theories, despite the DOJ’s clarification that there was no damaging “client list” to unveil and that Epstein’s death was ruled a suicide.