FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced he will step down from his role early next year, bringing a swift end to his tenure as the bureau's second-in-command.
Trump Confirms Departure Amid Speculation
President Donald Trump appeared to confirm the news on Wednesday 17 December 2025, when questioned by reporters about the senior official's impending exit. "Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show," Mr Trump stated, alluding to Bongino's popular podcast and media career.
In a post on the social media platform X, Bongino expressed his gratitude. "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," he wrote.
A Tenure Marked by Internal Tensions
Bongino's position within the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been under scrutiny for months. Reports first surfaced in July 2025 that he had clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the administration's failure to release files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The situation escalated in August when the FBI appointed Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as a new "co-deputy director," effectively requiring Bongino to share his duties. The White House moved quickly to deny any suggestion of internal division at the time.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields issued a statement saying, "President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team... Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made."
From Secret Service to Media and Back Again
The 50-year-old's career has spanned law enforcement, politics, and broadcasting. His background includes:
- Two years as an NYPD officer.
- Secret Service agent from 1999, serving on protection details for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
- An unsuccessful run for a US Senate seat in Maryland in 2012.
- A successful media career, launching "The Dan Bongino Show" podcast, now hosted on Rumble.
- A role as a Fox News contributor and host of the Saturday night show "Canceled in the USA" from 2021 to 2023.
His departure next month concludes a brief but notable chapter at the top of the FBI, with the expectation he will now return full-time to his media ventures.
