FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino speaks at a press conference announcing the arrest of a suspect in the January 6 homemade bombing at the Department of Justice on December 4, 2025.
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FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Wednesday he plans to retire from the FBI in January.
In a statement published on X, Bongino thanked President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel “for the opportunity to serve with purpose.”
Bongino was an unusual choice for the FBI's No. 2 job, a critical position overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the FBI, traditionally held by a career agent. Neither Bongino nor his boss Patel had FBI experience.
Bongino does have previous law enforcement experience, as a police officer and then as a Secret Service agent, and a long history of active support for Trump.
Bongino has made a name for himself over the past decade as a Trump supporter, a far-right podcaster who has promoted conspiracy theories, including ones involving the FBI. He was is critical of the bureausupporting the narrative that she was “armed” against the Conservatives, and even calling her agents “thugs”.
His tenure at the bureau was turbulent at times, including clashes with Justice Department officials over the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files.
But it also included arrest earlier this month, a man authorities said was responsible for planting two pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican Party committees, hours before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In an unusual arrangement, Bongino has had a deputy director since this summer, when the Trump administration appointed Andrew Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general, to work alongside Bongino in the No. 2 job.
President Trump praised Bongino in a brief address to reporters before announcing his resignation. “Dan did a great job,” Trump said. “I think he wants to get back on his show.”
