FBI deputy director Dan Bongino announces departure at end of year

A former Secret Service agent, Bongino joined the administration earlier this year as part of a broader effort to reform and strengthen the intelligence and law enforcement community.

By Eitan Devir, Jewish Breaking News

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced Wednesday that he will leave the agency at the end of the year, bringing to a close his tenure in federal law enforcement leadership after joining the administration earlier this year.

Bongino said his departure will take effect in January. In a post on X, he thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve.

“I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January,” Bongino wrote.

“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 all those who defend Her.”

The announcement followed months of speculation about Bongino’s future at the bureau and came amid persistent rumors of internal tensions, including reports of a rift with Attorney General Bondi over her handling of the Epstein files.

Bongino did not address those reports in his statement and offered no indication of his future plans.

Before joining the administration, Bongino was widely known as a conservative media figure and one of the most successful podcasters in the world.

He has also been a vocal supporter of Israel and a strong advocate against antisemitism, frequently speaking out in defense of the Jewish state following the October 7 Hamas attacks and condemning what he described as rising antisemitism at home and abroad.

Bongino has repeatedly framed support for Israel as a national security imperative, arguing that the fight against Islamist terrorism and extremist ideology is shared by both the United States and Israel.

His remarks on Israel and the Jewish community earned him strong backing from pro-Israel advocates and Jewish organizations.

A former Secret Service agent, Bongino joined the administration earlier this year as part of a broader effort to reform and strengthen the intelligence and law enforcement community.

His departure comes as the FBI continues to face heightened political scrutiny amid debates over transparency, accountability, and reform.

No successor has been announced.