Dan Bongino Considering Leaving FBI as Soon as Next Month

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino plans to decide on his future at the bureau in the coming weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Bongino, who stepped into the role earlier this year under Director Kash Patel, has faced growing criticism as the Trump administration pushes to reform the FBI. Patel and Bongino took the helm with a mandate to root out perceived biases and refocus the agency on core missions like fighting crime and protecting children from predators.

During his tenure, Bongino played a key role in high-profile efforts, including the arrest of a suspect in the long-dormant January 6 pipe bomb case. On Fox News while announcing the breakthrough, Bongino addressed past comments he made as a podcaster.

“Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions,” he told host Sean Hannity. “That’s clear, and one day I’ll be back in that space, but that’s not what I’m paid for now. I’m paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts.”

The FBI also reported significant results in child rescue operations under the new leadership. Sources indicate Bongino has informed some field office leaders of a potential departure, with insiders predicting he could leave as soon as January 2026. His office in Washington has appeared largely empty recently, and his chief of staff has taken on a new role elsewhere.

Clashes over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files added to tensions earlier in the year, including reports of confrontations with Attorney General Pam Bondi. The administration later appointed a co-deputy director to share responsibilities.

President Trump appointed Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and NYPD officer, to bring fresh perspective to an agency long accused of institutional problems. Bongino gave up his popular radio show and podcast to serve, fulfilling a commitment to put country first.

But criticism has come his way from inside and outside of the bureau. To go along with legacy media finding every opportunity to criticize them, a group of active-duty and retired bureau employees claimed the new leaders lacked direction.

“When the director and I moved forward with these reforms, we expected some noise from the small circle of disgruntled former agents still loyal to the old Comey–Wray model,” Bongino told Fox News at the time.

“That was never our audience. Our responsibility is to the American people. And under the new leadership team, the bureau is delivering results this country hasn’t seen in decades — tighter accountability, tougher performance standards, billions saved and a mission-first culture. That’s how you restore trust.”

Whatever Bongino decides, his time at the FBI has coincided with aggressive action on cold cases and child exploitation—results that align with promises to restore accountability and prioritize real threats over political games. The bureau continues operations under Patel as these personal deliberations play out.