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Dan Bongino has stepped down as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation after serving in the position for less than a year, he announced Sunday.
In a post on X, Bongino said Saturday was his final day with the bureau before returning to “civilian life.”
“It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump,” Bongino wrote. “It was the honor of a lifetime to work with Director Patel, and to serve you, the American people. See you on the other side.”
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and conservative media personality, joined the FBI in March 2025 and had announced in December that he would leave his post at the start of the new year.
President Donald Trump praised Bongino’s tenure, telling reporters, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also acknowledged Bongino’s service in a statement on X.
“Dan heads back to the private sector after helping orchestrate a record year for the @FBI
-Historic 20% drop in nationwide murder rate
-100% increase in arrests year to year
-1,800 gangs and criminal enterprises disrupted (210% increase)
-2,000+ kilos of Fentanyl seized (up 31%) enough to kill 130 million Americans
-Nihilistic Violent Extremism arrests up 490%
-Over 6,000 child victims located (up 22%)
-Espionage arrests up 35%
-Multiple successful surges including Summer Heat which had almost 9,000 arrests in just three months
This FBI is saving lives, protecting innocent kids, and taking deadly drugs off our streets at levels not seen in decades. None of it would’ve been possible without Dan’s leadership and support. And he paved the way for even better things to come. Thank you @dbongino,” he wrote.
Bongino’s resignation leaves Andrew Bailey, who was appointed co-deputy director in September 2025, as the bureau’s remaining deputy director under FBI Director Kash Patel.
