Dan Bongino, the FBI’s deputy director and a former conservative podcast host, announced on December 17, 2025, that he will resign from his post next month, closing out a brief and turbulent stint at the top of America’s premier law enforcement agency. The news, delivered via a post on X (formerly Twitter), marks one of the most high-profile departures of the Trump administration and comes after months of speculation, internal strife, and public controversy.
Bongino’s resignation was not entirely unexpected. Rumors had swirled since July, when he reportedly took a day off after a heated dispute with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. As Axios reported, Bongino’s decision followed reports that he had cleared out his office and confided in close associates about his intention to step down early in the new year.
In his resignation post, Bongino struck a tone of gratitude, writing, “I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose.” He added, “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’s nine months at the FBI’s helm were anything but ordinary. Appointed by President Donald Trump in March 2025, he was an unconventional pick for the bureau’s No. 2 job—a position typically reserved for career agents with deep institutional knowledge. Prior to his appointment, Bongino had worked as a New York City police officer and as a Secret Service agent, including a stint in the Presidential Protection Division starting in 2006. He also built a public profile as a conservative commentator, hosting the popular “Dan Bongino Show” podcast and, for a time, a Fox News program.
His outsider status and lack of FBI experience were notable, but perhaps even more so was his reputation for provocative commentary. Before joining the bureau, Bongino was a frequent critic of FBI leadership, using his platform to promote conspiracy theories about high-profile cases, including the Epstein sex-trafficking scandal and the pipe bombs discovered in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. According to The Associated Press, Bongino had previously challenged the official ruling that Epstein died by suicide in jail, suggesting instead that there was a cover-up at play.
Once inside the FBI, however, Bongino’s tune changed. In a Fox News interview, he acknowledged, “I’ve seen the whole file. He killed himself.” This reversal drew criticism from some corners of Trump’s base, who had expected him to unearth hidden truths and deliver sweeping reforms to a bureau they believed was “weaponized” against the former president. Bongino himself addressed the shift, telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity, “I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions, that’s clear. And 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.”
Bongino’s tenure was marked by more than just the Epstein controversy. He also used social media to communicate directly with Trump supporters, reassuring them that the FBI was giving renewed attention to the pipe bomb investigation, the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion in 2022, and the 2023 discovery of cocaine in the White House during the Biden administration. In May 2025, he escalated the FBI’s investigation into the cocaine incident and the Supreme Court leak, moves that drew both praise and skepticism.
Despite his efforts, Bongino struggled to satisfy all factions. Elements of the far-right remained restless, expecting more decisive action and transparency from FBI leadership. When the FBI arrested a 30-year-old Virginia man in early December in connection with the pipe bomb case—an individual with no apparent links to the federal government—questions lingered about whether the real culprit had been found, especially in light of Bongino’s earlier speculation that the incident was an “inside job” or the work of an “anti-Trump insider.”
Internal tensions were not limited to policy disagreements. In August, the Trump administration appointed Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as co-deputy director alongside Bongino, a move widely interpreted as a signal that Bongino’s days were numbered. According to MS NOW, this unusual step further fueled speculation about his impending exit.
President Trump, for his part, praised Bongino’s service, telling reporters, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.” FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the sentiment in a social media post, calling Bongino “the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI,” and adding, “He 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 Bondi also joined in, posting, “Thank you, Dan. Americans are safer because of your service.”
Bongino’s resignation comes at a time when the FBI is under intense scrutiny. Director Patel has faced criticism over his use of a government plane for personal travel and his social media commentary on ongoing investigations. The agency has also seen the firing of multiple career agents and a wave of public skepticism about its direction and independence. Bongino’s departure, as Fox News noted, is the latest chapter in a period of upheaval for the bureau.
Looking back, Bongino’s meteoric rise and abrupt resignation reflect the volatile intersection of law enforcement, politics, and media in contemporary America. His journey from NYPD beat cop to Secret Service agent, then to podcast provocateur and finally to the FBI’s second-in-command, is a testament to the increasingly blurred lines between public service and public persona.
Though Bongino has not yet revealed his future plans, his supporters—and critics—are already speculating about his next move. Will he return to the world of podcasting, as President Trump hinted? Or will he chart a new course in the political or media landscape? For now, Bongino’s legacy at the FBI remains a study in contrasts: a lawman trying to navigate the demands of public trust, political loyalty, and personal conviction, all under the harsh glare of the national spotlight.
As the bureau prepares for yet another leadership transition, all eyes will be on who steps up to fill the void—and whether the FBI can steady itself amid the ongoing storm.
