FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is at the center of a storm engulfing the Trump administration over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, with reports emerging that he may resign amid escalating tensions and accusations of a cover-up. Bongino, who approved the release of surveillance footage from outside Epstein's prison cell, has become the "fall guy" after the video revealed a mysterious "missing minute," fueling conspiracy theories about the financier's death.
The controversy intensified following a heated White House meeting on July 9, 2025, where Bongino clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the FBI and Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent memo regarding Epstein. The memo, which confirmed Epstein's death by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 and stated that no "client list" existed, failed to quell speculation among MAGA supporters and conspiracy theorists. The meeting also included FBI Director Kash Patel, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich.
According to Axios, Bongino vouched for the video after a "thorough review," believing it would settle the matter. However, the footage contained a gap—a missing minute caused by the surveillance system's nightly reset—that critics seized upon as evidence of a cover-up. A senior administration official told Axios, "Bongino found the video with the missing minute. He vouched for it after a 'thorough review,' and he thought this would end the matter. When that didn't work, he lost his mind and ran out of D.C." Following the backlash, Bongino reportedly skipped work on Friday, July 11, 2025, leading to speculation that he is poised to quit.
The dispute at the White House reportedly grew intense, with Bondi confronting Bongino over a NewsNation article that claimed he and Patel wanted to release more information about the Epstein files but were prevented from doing so. Bongino denied leaking the information during the argument, which was witnessed by Wiles, Budowich, and Patel. One insider described the clash to Axios: "Pam said her piece. Dan said his piece. It didn't end on friendly terms." Bongino left the meeting visibly angry.
This internal strife reflects broader dissatisfaction within the MAGA base. Far-right activist Laura Loomer has been vocal in her criticism of Bondi, calling for her resignation over the handling of the Epstein investigation. Loomer accused Bondi of damaging President Trump's image and creating a "PR crisis" for the administration. She also claimed that Bongino and Patel were "furious" with Bondi due to a "lack of transparency" and suggested that Bongino was "seriously thinking" about resigning unless Trump intervenes to fire Bondi.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sought to quell rumors of a rift between the FBI and DOJ leadership, posting on X that he worked closely with Patel and Bongino on the joint memo and that all three officials signed off on its contents and conclusions. "The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo's composition and release is patently false," Blanche wrote.
The Epstein case has been a lightning rod for conspiracy theories since the financier's death in 2019, with many alleging foul play to protect powerful individuals allegedly named in the so-called "Epstein files." The DOJ and FBI's release of an 11-hour video from outside Epstein's cell was intended to dispel these theories by showing no one entered the room prior to his suicide. However, the "missing minute" in the footage has only deepened suspicions among some MAGA supporters, despite explanations that the gap resulted from the surveillance system's nightly reset.
Bondi's handling of the case has faced widespread criticism. Her February 2025 release of Epstein-related files was derided as a "debacle" and an "absolute clown show" due to the lack of new information. Critics on both sides of the political spectrum have mocked the effort, and Loomer has been among the most strident voices demanding accountability.
The fallout from the Epstein files controversy has exposed fractures within the Trump administration, with high-profile figures like Bongino and Patel caught between the DOJ's official stance and the demands of the president's base. Bongino, a former US Secret Service agent turned podcast host, and Patel, once prominent MAGA influencers, have both distanced themselves from earlier conspiracy theories about Epstein's death since joining the FBI.
As the administration grapples with the fallout, the possibility of further resignations or firings looms. A Bongino supporter told Axios, "Dan is not the bad guy here. He shouldn't take the fall." Meanwhile, the White House maintains that the team is working "seamlessly and with unity," with spokesperson Harrison Fields dismissing reports of infighting as "baseless" distractions from the pursuit of justice.
The Epstein case continues to cast a long shadow over the administration, with the "missing minute" symbolizing the deeper mistrust and political discord surrounding one of the most controversial investigations in recent memory. Whether Bongino decides to step down remains uncertain, but the episode underscores the challenges the Trump administration faces in balancing transparency, political loyalty, and the demands of a skeptical public.
