FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino says stepping down

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino will step down from his post next month, he said on Wednesday, ending a short and at times tumultuous tenure as the bureau’s second highest-ranking official.

1news.media informs, citing Reuters, Bongino announced the move on social media hours after President Donald Trump said he thought Bongino wanted to “go back to his show.” He hosted a prominent right-wing podcast prior to joining the FBI.

“Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show,” Trump told reporters.

Bongino, a former New York City police officer, member of the Secret Service and right-wing podcaster, was an unusual pick for the FBI’s No. 2 post, which historically had been filled by career agents who had worked their way up the ranks. He was made deputy over objections from the FBI Agents Association, a group representing 14,000 primarily current agents, despite earlier assurances from FBI Director Kash Patel that he would install a career agent.

“I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” Bongino wrote in a post on X, referring to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel.