Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino announced Wednesday that he will step down from his post in January, marking the end of a remarkably impactful—but often controversial—tenure aimed at restoring trust, transparency, and operational strength within America’s chief federal law-enforcement agency.
Bongino, a longtime conservative commentator, former NYPD officer, and Secret Service agent, made the announcement on X, where he thanked those who entrusted him with the role.
“I want to thank President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” Bongino wrote.
“Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you.”
The announcement confirms growing speculation within conservative media circles that Bongino, who rose to national prominence during President Trump’s first term, was preparing to return to broadcasting.
Earlier Wednesday, President Trump suggested as much, praising Bongino’s service and signaling that a return to the airwaves was likely.
“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump said, highlighting Bongino’s popularity among grassroots conservatives and his ability to communicate complex security issues in plain language. Trump did not specify a departure date.
During his relatively short time at the FBI, Bongino became a central figure in the bureau’s conservative-led reform movement. Supporters credit him with helping shift the agency toward greater transparency and away from the politicization many Republicans believe accelerated under previous administrations.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised Bongino’s accomplishments in a statement on X:
“Dan is the best partner I could’ve asked for in helping restore this FBI. He brought critical reforms to make the organization more efficient, led the successful Summer Heat op, served as the people’s voice for transparency, and delivered major breakthroughs in long unsolved cases like the pipe bomb investigation. And that’s only a small part of the work he went about every single day delivering for America,” Patel wrote.
“He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it.”
Supporters say Bongino’s tenure represented a rare moment when top leadership acknowledged the concerns of everyday Americans—particularly conservatives—who felt the bureau had strayed from its mission of equal justice under the law.
Before joining the bureau, Bongino built a powerful following through his radio show, his podcast, and frequent appearances on Fox News. His direct, unapologetically pro-American brand of commentary made him one of the most recognizable voices on the right.
He previously served as a New York City police officer and spent over a decade as a Secret Service agent protecting presidents from both parties. His combined law-enforcement background and media influence helped him bridge grassroots concerns with federal-level reform efforts.
Today, Bongino commands 7 million followers on X, making him one of the most visible conservative voices in the country.
Despite his successes, Bongino’s tenure wasn’t without friction. Reports surfaced that he had been considering leaving the job as early as July following a clash with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Epstein files.
At the time, Bongino reportedly expressed concern that the bureau was not moving quickly enough to reveal key details to the public, echoing long-standing conservative criticisms of bureaucratic secrecy.
Talk of his possible departure resurfaced again in August when then-Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey joined the FBI’s leadership team as co-deputy director, a move interpreted by some insiders as preparation for a transition.
Though Bongino earned praise from colleagues for his efforts to reshape the FBI, many Republican voters know him best as a fighter in the media arena—someone unafraid to challenge establishment narratives, hold government power to account, and speak bluntly about issues ranging from government surveillance to election integrity.
Before entering the bureau, he frequently used his platform to defend President Trump and to challenge the prevailing media narratives surrounding the 2020 election, the January 6th Capitol riot, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death.
His likely return to broadcasting—just as the country enters a high-stakes election year—positions him once again as a major voice within the conservative movement.
