FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino to step down in January, Thanks Trump for his support

The Deputy Director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Dan Bongino, confirmed on Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his office in January 2026. In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bongino thanked Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel for their support.

He also mentioned US Attorney General Pam Bondi, with whom he reportedly clashed over her decision not to release files from the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, in the post. “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” Bongino wrote in the post. “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,” he added.

I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January.
I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose.
Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you.
God bless America, and…

— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) December 17, 2025

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Bongino’s announcement came shortly after Trump hinted at his departure. “Dan did a great job,” Trump told reporters earlier, when asked about reports that Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned podcaster, planned to resign. “I think he wants to go back to his show,” the president furthered.

The news of Bongino’s exit started to emerge after MS Now reported Bongino “quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year”. The outlet cited eight people briefed on his account and said Bongino would not be returning to the bureau’s headquarters this month. When asked about the report, the FBI’s No 2 official did not confirm his plans to the outlet, but said: “Print whatever you’d like. No one believes you anyway. Thanks.”

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The cause of the exit

Bongino, also a former NYPD officer, hosted several shows throughout his career before landing the role at the FBI. His work included guest-host stints on The Sean Hannity Show and The Mark Levin Show. He later launched the Bongino Report and The Dan Bongino Show. In May this year, Bongino cried during an appearance on Fox News where he complained about the sacrifices he made to take up his role as FBI deputy director.

“I gave up everything for this. I mean, you know, my wife is struggling … 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 at that time. Back in 2018, Bongino garnered attention as he frequently perpetuated conspiracy theories of a so-called deep-state plot against Trump, saying, “My entire life right now is about owning the libs.”

He even called former US President Barack Obama to “be locked up”; Hillary Clinton “a freaking criminal”; and argued that California senator Adam Schiff “should be in prison”. Earlier this month, he attempted to walk back from conspiracy theories of the FBI being allegedly complicit in planting pipe bombs near the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee before the January 6 riots in 2021.

Interestingly, before he was appointed as the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino claimed, without evidence, that the FBI “knew” the identity of the bomber and that the bombs were planted to “create a narrative that crazy MAGA people are trying to assassinate Kamala Harris."

However, when asked about his previous claims, he said: “I was paid in the past 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.” “We’re going to be guided by the facts as this thing goes forward," he added.