In a move that has stunned Washington insiders and law enforcement alike, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed as co-deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, marking the first time in the agency’s history that two individuals will share the powerful deputy director role. The announcement came on August 18, 2025, and was swiftly confirmed by multiple sources, including statements from the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Bailey himself.
Bailey, who has served as Missouri’s attorney general since 2022 and won a full term just last year, will now share duties at the FBI with Dan Bongino, a former law enforcement officer, right-wing podcast host, and staunch Trump ally. The decision to split the deputy director position comes as the FBI faces mounting criticism and internal turmoil, particularly over the Justice Department’s controversial handling of records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as our new FBI Co-Deputy Director,” posted Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on social media, echoing the surprise and excitement that has rippled through the upper echelons of federal law enforcement. “As Missouri’s Attorney General, he took on the swamp, fought weaponized government, and defended the Constitution. Now he is bringing that fight to DOJ.”
Bailey himself was quick to acknowledge the weight of his new responsibilities. “I am proud to announce I have accepted the role of Co-Deputy Director of the FBI,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), extending thanks to President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the opportunity. “I will protect America and uphold the Constitution.” In a separate statement released through the Missouri attorney general’s office, Bailey added, “I extend my deepest gratitude to President Trump and U.S. Attorney General Bondi for the privilege to join in their stated mission to Make America Safe Again.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel jointly announced the appointment, with Bondi describing Bailey as “a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service.” She added, “His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission. While we know this is undoubtedly a great loss for Missouri, it is a tremendous gain for America.”
The move comes at a particularly fraught moment for the FBI. Current deputy director Dan Bongino has faced intense scrutiny and internal fallout after the Justice Department’s decision not to release further records from investigations into Epstein. According to Axios and Fox News Digital, Bongino clashed with Attorney General Bondi in a heated confrontation at the White House in July over the matter, even reportedly missing several days of work in the aftermath. The episode left Bongino’s future at the FBI uncertain and led many insiders to view Bailey’s appointment as a possible prelude to Bongino’s eventual departure.
Nevertheless, Bongino publicly welcomed Bailey’s arrival, posting a simple “Welcome” followed by three American flag emojis on social media. FBI Director Kash Patel also praised Bailey, stating, “Andrew Bailey will be an integral part of this important mission and I look forward continued fight to save America together.”
Bailey’s path to this high-profile federal role has been marked by both ambition and controversy. Appointed as Missouri attorney general in 2022 after Eric Schmitt’s election to the U.S. Senate, Bailey quickly established himself as a combative figure, taking on lawsuits against the federal government and launching investigations into health care providers. His tenure was also defined by public clashes with other statewide officials and efforts to block federal student loan forgiveness, as reported by local Missouri outlets and Nexstar Media.
Bailey’s office was involved in multiple lawsuits regarding the medical records of transgender children, part of a broader campaign to curtail gender-affirming care in Missouri. He also played a role in forcing the resignation of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and pursued felony charges against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page. Throughout, Bailey remained an unwavering supporter of former President Trump, publicly endorsing the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen and even attempting to intervene in Trump’s criminal case in New York, which ultimately resulted in 34 felony convictions for the former president.
However, Bailey’s time as attorney general was not without its critics. Accusations of corruption, incompetence, and grandstanding dogged his administration. Critics alleged he was more interested in TV appearances than effective governance, and his office missed key legal deadlines in high-profile cases, such as the appeal of a lawsuit against Missouri school districts over mask mandates. Bailey was also the subject of formal complaints over his conduct, including falsely blaming a school district’s diversity program for an off-campus assault and facing scrutiny over campaign contributions from companies involved in litigation with the state.
Despite these controversies, Bailey’s loyalty to Trump and aggressive legal tactics earned him a prominent place in the administration’s plans. According to The New York Times, Trump had previously considered Bailey for both attorney general and FBI director roles but had found him “too laid back and somewhat lackluster” for the latter. Still, Bailey’s conventional government experience made him a steadier choice than Bongino, whose bombastic style and recent clashes with Bondi left many questioning his longevity in the role.
Bailey’s resignation as Missouri attorney general will be effective September 8, 2025. Governor Mike Kehoe is set to announce Bailey’s replacement on August 20, 2025. Insiders suggest Catherine Hanaway, a former federal prosecutor, is the likely pick, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The FBI’s unprecedented move to install co-deputy directors has left many in the agency and beyond wondering what comes next. Some see it as a pragmatic solution to internal divisions and the immense workload facing the bureau. Others worry it signals deeper instability at the heart of American law enforcement, especially as the Trump administration continues to reshape federal agencies with loyalists and unconventional appointments.
For Bailey, the new role is both a culmination of his rise through the ranks of Missouri politics and a test of his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of Washington. As he put it in his resignation announcement: “My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level. But wherever I am called, Missouri is and always will be home.”
As the FBI embarks on this new chapter, all eyes are on Bailey and Bongino to see whether their partnership will steady the bureau or deepen its divisions. Only time will tell if this historic experiment in shared leadership can deliver the results its backers hope for, or if it will become another flashpoint in an already turbulent era for America’s top law enforcement agency.
