Dan Bongino’s departure adds to the sense of churn at the top of the FBI. Serving less than a year as deputy director, his stint stands out as one of the shortest in recent memory. He signaled his exit in December 2025, framing the move as a personal decision to step away from government and re-enter civilian life. Still, the timing underscores how unsettled the Bureau’s leadership has been, even as it faces heightened scrutiny and political pressure.
His brief tenure was dogged by questions that never fully went away. Critics repeatedly pointed to his lack of prior FBI experience, while others warned that his appointment risked deepening perceptions of politicization inside the bureau. Those concerns were not limited to partisan critics, drawing scrutiny from lawmakers as well as unease among career officials within the agency.
“It was a busy last day on the job. This will be my last post on this account…Tomorrow I return to civilian life. It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump. 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 wrote on X, while highlighting his experience as well as showering praise on FBI Director Kash Patel.
READ: Laura Loomer calls FBI Director Kash Patel a slave? (
Even so, Bongino received a public show of support from Patel, who praised his impact in a post on X. Patel said Bongino helped “orchestrate a record year” for the FBI, pointing to efforts that disrupted 1,800 gangs and criminal enterprises, located thousands of child victims, and led to the seizure of more than 2,000 kilos of fentanyl, among other outcomes.
“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,” Patel wrote, thanking Bongino.
Why did Don Bongino suddenly quit FBI?
Bongino’s background also set him apart from his predecessors. A former Secret Service agent, he came into the job without any prior experience at the FBI before being tapped by Trump for the Bureau’s No. 2 role. According to the FBI Agents Association, the position had been filled by a career FBI official for more than a century before Bongino, making his appointment a sharp break from long-standing tradition.
READ: FBI cuts ties with Anti-Defamation League following conservative backlash (
Media reports, citing current and former officials, pointed to growing frustration among career agents over the leadership style of Patel and Bongino, including their approach to decision-making and public messaging. Some officials questioned whether the two fully grasped the Bureau’s culture and operational norms. That internal unease was compounded by sustained scrutiny from lawmakers and commentators, reinforcing a broader perception of instability and dissatisfaction within the FBI during their time in senior roles.
Bongino has also spoke openly about the personal cost of the job. In an earlier interview with Fox News, he said the role had taken a heavy toll on his private life. “I gave up everything for this,” Bongino said, describing the long hours he and Patel were putting in. “I stare at these four walls all day in DC, by myself, divorced from my wife, not divorced, but I mean separated, and it’s hard. I mean, we love each other, and it’s hard to be apart,” he added.
With Bongino now out of the picture, the leadership structure shifts again. Andrew Bailey, who was appointed co-deputy director in September 2025, is left as the Bureau’s remaining deputy director, marking another transition at the top as the FBI seeks stability.