Dan Bongino has announced that he will step down as the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in January, ending a tenure of less than 10 months. Bongino confirmed his decision in a post on X on Wednesday, thanking President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. Trump said Bongino “did a great job” and wants to return to his podcast.
Bongino’s appointment was widely viewed as unusual and faced opposition from the FBI Agents Association, amid controversy over his past promotion of conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election, the January 6 pipe bombs, and Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Takeaways on Dan Bongino Stepping Down as FBI Deputy Director
- Dan Bongino said he will leave his role as FBI deputy director in January.
- He served less than 10 months in the FBI’s second-highest position.
- President Donald Trump praised Bongino’s performance and said he wants to return to his podcast.
- His appointment broke with tradition and was opposed by the FBI Agents Association.
- Bongino previously promoted conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election, January 6 pipe bombs, and Jeffrey Epstein.
- His tenure had been in question since July following controversy over an Epstein-related memo.
Resignation Announcement and Public Statements
Dan Bongino announced on Wednesday that he will step down as the FBI’s deputy director in January. In a post on X, he wrote:
“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.”
Bongino did not give a reason for his resignation. President Donald Trump said earlier on Wednesday that Bongino “did a great job” and added, “I think he wants to go back to his show.”
According to Reuters, several people briefed on the matter said Bongino’s belongings in his office were already boxed up, though another person said he was working on Wednesday at FBI headquarters.
Appointment and Unconventional Background
Bongino, 51, was appointed as FBI deputy director by President Trump earlier this year, with reports stating the appointment occurred in February and his tenure began in March. Before joining the FBI, he served as a New York City police officer and later as a U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect then-President Barack Obama.
Also Read: Fired for Kneeling: Why 12 Ex-FBI Agents Are Now Suing Director Kash Patel
In recent years, Bongino built a large national audience through his eponymous right-wing podcast and other media appearances. His appointment to the FBI’s No. 2 post was considered a surprise because the role has historically been filled by career FBI agents who worked their way up through the bureau.
Opposition From FBI Agents and Internal Tensions
The FBI Agents Association, which represents around 14,000 primarily current agents, opposed Bongino’s appointment. The opposition came despite earlier assurances from FBI Director Kash Patel that he would install a career agent in the role.
Bongino’s short tenure was also marked by reports of tensions with Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to one of the news chunks. These tensions occurred amid growing scrutiny of Bongino’s past public statements and the political nature of his appointment.
Past Promotion of Conspiracy Theories
Before joining the FBI, Bongino had echoed disinformation and conspiracy theories about Trump’s false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election.
He also claimed that the pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices on the eve of the January 6, 2021 attack were an FBI “inside job.” Bongino later walked back that assertion after the FBI arrested a suspect in December in the five-year-old case. Following the arrest, Bongino said in a Fox News interview that he had been paid to voice controversial opinions.
Also Read: Foiled Assassination Plot: FBI Arrests Pakistani National With Iranian Connections
Earlier this month, a man with no known ties to the government was arrested nearly six years after the pipe bombs were discovered.
After taking office, Bongino pushed to make the pipe bomb investigation a priority, which Attorney General Bondi said had “languished.” FBI Director Kash Patel later credited Bongino with delivering major breakthroughs in the case.
Epstein Controversy and DOJ-FBI Memo
Bongino’s tenure at the FBI had been in question since July, when issues related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein came to a head.
As a commentator, Bongino had questioned whether Epstein took his own life in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. In May, however, Bongino said: “I have seen the whole file. He killed himself.”
In July, the U.S. Justice Department and FBI leadership jointly issued a memo that backtracked on a pledge to release investigative files on Epstein. The memo rejected long-standing conspiracy theories, stating that Epstein died by suicide and that there was no incriminating “client list” to release.
The memo enraged many of Trump’s supporters, who rejected the Justice Department’s findings. According to the BBC’s media partner CBS News, the memo led to a contentious meeting between Bongino and Attorney General Bondi.
Reactions From FBI Leadership and the Administration
FBI Director Kash Patel praised Bongino’s tenure in a social media post on Wednesday, writing that Bongino had “served as the people’s voice for transparency” and delivered breakthroughs in long-unsolved cases such as the pipe bomb investigation.
“He not only completed his mission — he far exceeded it,” Patel wrote.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on X, saying that “Americans are safer” because of Bongino’s service at the FBI.
President Trump echoed that view, publicly praising Bongino’s performance and suggesting that his departure was linked to his desire to return to his podcast.
What Bongino’s Departure Means for the FBI
Bongino’s resignation brings an early end to a tenure that attracted sustained attention due to his unconventional appointment and controversial public record. His departure follows months of scrutiny tied to internal tensions, opposition from career agents, and backlash over the Epstein memo.
While FBI leadership credited him with progress on long-stalled investigations, his appointment and conduct continued to divide opinion within and outside the bureau. His exit leaves open questions about the future direction of FBI leadership and whether the deputy director role will return to a career agent, as has historically been the case.
Ethical Leadership and Spiritual Responsibility
The developments surrounding Dan Bongino’s brief tenure and resignation highlight broader questions about accountability, transparency, and responsibility in positions of public authority. In this context, spiritual perspectives often emphasise that leadership carries moral weight alongside institutional power.
Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj teaches that true service requires adherence to truth, restraint from misinformation, and actions guided by ethical discernment. Such spiritual viewpoints underline that credibility in public life is sustained not only by authority or position, but by integrity, clarity of conduct, and responsibility toward society. These principles resonate across institutions where trust, truth, and duty remain foundational to public confidence.
For more information visit our
- Website: www.jagatgururampalji.org
- YouTube: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
- Facebook: Spiritual Leader Saint Rampal Ji
- X (Twitter): @SaintRampalJiM
FAQs on Dan Bongino Stepping Down as FBI Deputy Director
1. When will Dan Bongino step down as FBI deputy director?
He said he will leave his position in January.
2. How long did Dan Bongino serve as FBI deputy director?
He served for less than 10 months.
3. Why was Bongino’s appointment considered unusual?
The role is traditionally held by a career FBI agent.
4. What controversies surrounded Bongino’s tenure?
They involved past conspiracy claims about the 2020 election, January 6 pipe bombs, and Jeffrey Epstein.
5. How did FBI leadership respond to his departure?
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly praised his service.
