Dan Bongino Announces Resignation as FBI Deputy Director

Former Secret Service agent, conservative commentator, and current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced that he plans to resign from the Bureau in January 2026, ending one of the most unusual and highly publicized tenures in the agency’s history. His appointment earlier this year by President Trump marked a break with long‐standing tradition: senior FBI leadership is typically drawn from career law-enforcement officials rather than media personalities or political figures.

Bongino confirmed his resignation plans on social media, thanking Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. According to reporting from AP News and Axios, the decision comes amid internal disagreements within the Department of Justice over investigative priorities and handling of sensitive case files. His tenure has been marked by friction with some career officials, particularly concerning demands for rapid declassification and shifts in internal policy.

Supporters of Bongino argue his attempted reforms were aimed at increasing transparency and limiting political influence within the Bureau. Critics contend his background in partisan media and his alignment with the administration undermined norms of institutional independence.

Multiple reports suggest that Bongino intends to return to broadcasting following his departure, resuming his radio and podcast platforms that were suspended while he served in government.

Bongino’s exit raises broader questions about the future direction of the FBI under the Trump administration’s second term, especially as the president and allies continue to call for extensive restructuring of federal law enforcement. The resignation signals both the difficulty of rapid reform within entrenched institutions and the balancing act between political leadership and bureaucratic autonomy inside the U.S. intelligence and law-enforcement apparatus.