Trump Ally Dan Bongino Announces He Will Step Down As FBI Deputy Director In January

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that he will step down from his position in January after US President Donald Trump earlier said the former podcast host “did a great job” and “wants to go back to his show”.

In a post on X, Bongino said, “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.”

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…

— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) December 17, 2025

Bongino’s roughly nine-month tenure at the bureau has been marked by controversy over his public comments and recent clashes with the Justice Department, particularly over the handling of the files related to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Bongino, a staunch Trump ally and former Secret Service agent who built an enormous following as a conservative, pro-Trump radio and podcast host, was an unusual choice when Trump installed him in the post in February. Neither Bongino nor his boss, FBI Director Kash Patel, had any previous experience at the bureau.

Reacting to his announcement, Patel said, “Dan is the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI. He brought critical reforms to make the organisation more efficient, led the successful Summer Heat op, served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved cases like the pipe bomb investigation.”

“He 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,” he added.

Dan is the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI. He brought critical reforms to make the organization more efficient, led the successful Summer Heat op, served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved… https://t.co/o8wZOUnojP

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 17, 2025

Who Is Dan Bongino?

Bongino began his career working for the New York Police Department in 1995 as a police cadet and became a full-time police officer in 1997. He joined the US Secret Service in 1999 and became a part of the Presidential Protection Division in 2006 during former President George W Bush’s administration.

He originally started at the Secret Service as a special agent in the New York Field Office investigating federal crimes, according to Axios. He stayed in the role during the transition to former President Obama’s administration.

In 2010, after the presidential appointments, he transferred to the Baltimore Field Office. He has master’s degrees in psychology and business administration from the City University of New York and Penn State University, respectively. He has launched three unsuccessful bids for Congress in multiple states.

The FBI No. 2 came to the limelight as a pro-Trump, far-right podcaster who pushed conspiracy theories, including some involving the FBI. He had expressed criticism of the bureau, accusing it of being “weaponised” against conservatives and calling its agents “thugs”.

His podcast – the ‘Dan Bongino Show’ – aimed at debunking “both liberal and Republican establishment rhetoric” was ranked as the No. 56 podcast on Spotify. He also hosted a Fox News show, “Unfiltered” but left the network in 2023.

Why Did He Resign?

Bongino was appointed in the role after he pushed several conspiracy theories about the FBI’s role in the 2016 and 2020 elections, including one that suggested that pipe bombs found near Republican and Democratic parties’ headquarters before the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol was an inside job.

His tenure at the bureau was at times tumultuous, including a clash with Justice Department leadership over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Rumours of his resignation swelled after he had a heated clash with US Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Earlier this month, a man with no known ties to the government was arrested for allegedly placing the pipe bombs near the parties’ headquarters in 2021, which contradicted Bongino’s claims of an inside job. His departure seemed inevitable after the White House hired the Missouri attorney general, Andrew Bailey, to share his job as deputy director.