Trump ally resigns: Dan Bongino to step down as FBI Deputy Director in January; US president reacts

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced on Wednesday that he will resign from his post in January, concluding a brief but high-profile tenure marked by clashes with the Justice Department and a balancing act between his law enforcement duties and his previous role as a conservative media figure.Announcing his decision to step down, Bongino wrote on X: “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director 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.”

US President Donald Trump, when asked about Bongino’s departure earlier in the day, praised him, saying: “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show" as quoted by news agency AP. Trump’s remarks reflect Bongino’s prior prominence as a conservative podcast host, where he frequently criticised the FBI and promoted controversial theories on high-profile cases, including the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the pipe bombs discovered in Washington ahead of the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.Bongino’s tenure had been marked by friction with Justice Department officials, particularly over the handling of the Epstein files. He initially cast doubt on Epstein’s death in 2019 but later told Fox News, “I’ve seen the whole file. He killed himself.” Similarly, Bongino had previously speculated that the January 6 pipe bombs were either an “inside job” or orchestrated by a “connected anti-Trump insider,” but he later acknowledged the FBI bases its investigations on facts.

FBI Director Kash Patel hailed Bongino as “the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI,” adding that Bongino “had not only completed his mission, he far exceeded it. We will miss him but I’m thankful he accepted the call to serve. Our country is better and safer for it.” Attorney General Pam Bondi also praised Bongino, saying Americans were safer because of his service.According to news agency AP, Bongino and Patel were unconventional appointments, neither having prior FBI experience, though both brought previous law enforcement backgrounds, Bongino as a New York City police officer and Secret Service agent. Their appointments followed a pledge to reform an FBI they claimed had been politicised under previous leadership.With his resignation, Bongino joins a series of high-profile departures amid ongoing scrutiny of FBI leadership and internal turbulence under the Trump administration.