FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is reportedly preparing to leave his post in the Trump administration within the coming weeks. According to sources speaking to The New York Times, Bongino has begun packing personal items from his Washington, D.C. office to ship to Florida, signalling a firm intention to depart.
Family Strain and Public Ambivalence
The former conservative podcaster and Fox News host gave up a lucrative media career earlier this year to take on the role. However, his tenure has been brief and marked by a notable ambivalence. In a candid May interview on Fox & Friends, Bongino admitted the job's demands were severely straining his family life.
He revealed his wife, Paula, with whom he has been married since around 2003, was "struggling" in Florida with their two daughters. "I stare at these four walls all day in DC, you know, by myself, divorced from my wife. Not divorced, but I mean, separated. And it's hard," he said. Bongino stated he did not enjoy the work, though he expressed pride in serving the President, remarking, "the president didn't ask me to do this to like it."
Internal Clashes and a Pivotal Controversy
A major flashpoint occurred in July, when Bongino clashed publicly with Attorney General Pam Bondi. The dispute centred on the Justice Department's conclusion that no Jeffrey Epstein 'client list' existed—a finding that contradicted theories Bongino had long promoted on his show.
Reports described a tense stand-off where Bondi accused Bongino of leaking information. He subsequently took days off, considered resigning, and told allies the Attorney General had "overpromised and underdelivered." This episode highlighted the inherent tension between his past as a partisan commentator and his current role as a senior law enforcement official.
Following the recent arrest in the January 6 pipe bomb case, Bongino explained this shift to Fox News's Sean Hannity. "I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions ... one day I'll be back in that space, but that's not what I'm paid for now. I'm paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts," he said, directly addressing past claims he had made about the case.
Timing and Consequences of Departure
The timing of his resignation remains fluid, though sources indicate Bongino had considered announcing his departure at a press conference related to the pipe bomb arrest. His decision to ship belongings to Florida, however, shows a firm commitment to leaving.
Bongino's exit would heap further pressure on FBI Director Kash Patel, who is already facing mounting criticism. Patel prematurely announced an arrest in the recent Brown University mass shooting, only for the suspect to be released hours later. This blunder echoed prior mishandlings, such as the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation.
Upon leaving, Bongino plans to return to Florida and resume work as a pro-Trump broadcaster ahead of the crucial midterm elections. The FBI has declined to comment on the reports of his impending resignation.
