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Former conservative podcaster Dan Bongino announced he's leaving his position as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in January 2026 on Wednesday (December 17).
"I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. 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," Bongino wrote on his X account.
President Donald Trump appeared to confirm Bongino's departure prior to his announcement on Wednesday, teasing that he intended to return to podcasting.
"Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show," Trump said via NBC News.
Bongino, 51, reportedly considered resigning in July after the FBI and Justice Department issued a joint memo claiming they had completed an "exhaustive" review of all files related to late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and no additional charges would be handed down in relation to the case, despite not releasing additional information at the time, according to NBC News. Bongino was reported to have gotten into a heated argument with Attorney General Pam Bondi after the memo was shared publicly, which was met with rage from some Trump supporters.
Bongino, who frequently alleged there had been a massive coverup involving the Epstein files on his podcast prior to joining the Trump administration, made the announcement two days prior to the release of a massive trove of investigative documents related to Epstein in adherence with a new federal law. The former podcaster had previously worked as a New York City Police Department officer from 1995 to 1999 before joining the United States Secret Service that same year, having later been assigned to the Presidential Protection division during former President George W. Bush's second term in 2006 and remaining on duty for former President Barack Obama until leaving for an attempted U.S. Senate run in 2011.