Dan Bongino, the contentious deputy director of the FBI, has confirmed he will leave his post in January 2026. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks the end of a turbulent tenure for the former Secret Service agent and conservative media personality.
A Polarising Figure Exits the Bureau
Bongino, who is 51, was appointed to the FBI's second-highest role by then-President Donald Trump in February 2025, serving under Director Kash Patel. Announcing his departure, Bongino stated he was "grateful for the opportunity to serve with purpose." He did not specify an exact January date for his exit or reveal his future plans.
Reacting to the news, Donald Trump said, "Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show." In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel lauded Bongino as "the best partner I could've asked for in helping restore this FBI", adding that he had "far exceeded" his mission.
A Background in Media and Law Enforcement
Bongino's path to the upper echelons of US intelligence was unconventional. After serving with the New York Police Department in the 1990s, he joined the Secret Service, protecting Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
He later became a prominent media figure:
- Hosting a popular podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, which Spotify listed among its most-streamed.
- Presenting a Saturday night show on Fox News from 2021 to 2023.
- Providing political commentary for over a decade.
His appointment caused significant concern within the intelligence community, with Sky News' US partner NBC News reporting on fears over his lack of experience and history of promoting conspiracy theories.
Tenure Marred by Controversy and the Epstein Dispute
Bongino's time at the FBI was overshadowed by controversies, many stemming from his past statements. Prior to his appointment, he had spread false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election and suggested the FBI was involved in a cover-up regarding pipe bombs found before the 6 January riots.
However, the most significant internal conflict reportedly centred on the investigation into financier Jeffrey Epstein. Bongino had previously claimed Epstein did not die by suicide, alleging a cover-up. After joining the FBI, he reversed this position in a Fox News interview, stating, "I've seen the whole file. He killed himself."
The situation escalated in July 2025 when the FBI and Department of Justice announced they would not release further Epstein records, despite earlier promises. NBC News reported that Bongino had a confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the files. A source stated Bongino was "out of control furious" and was "threatening to quit." Following months of pressure, President Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Act in November 2025.
Bongino's departure next month concludes a brief but highly divisive chapter for the FBI, highlighting the ongoing tensions between political appointments and the traditional norms of the US intelligence community.
