Internal questions are mounting at the FBI following the unprecedented appointment of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the bureau — a first in the agency’s history.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel jointly announced Bailey’s appointment, which comes amid reported tensions with current Deputy Director Dan Bongino. The move has sparked speculation about Bongino’s future at the agency, particularly following his recent fallout with Bondi over the handling of materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Unprecedented Dual Leadership
Bailey will now share the bureau’s second-highest leadership position with Bongino, who was appointed as the sole Deputy Director earlier this year. It remains unclear how the responsibilities will be divided between the two, as the role traditionally involves overseeing the FBI’s daily operations.
“I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI,” Bondi told Fox News Digital. “He brings a distinguished record as a state attorney general and a decorated war veteran. His leadership will be a tremendous asset as we work to advance President Trump’s mission.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the sentiment in a social media post, praising Bailey as someone who “fought weaponized government and defended the Constitution” during his tenure in Missouri.
Fallout Over Epstein Files
The decision to bring Bailey into the FBI’s leadership comes just weeks after reports emerged of a significant dispute between Bongino and Bondi. According to CNN, the disagreement centered on how the FBI handled internal materials related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein — an issue that reportedly drew the attention of former President Donald Trump himself.
Since the clash, Bongino has reportedly distanced himself from internal operations, leading to increased speculation about his standing within the bureau.
While Bongino has not addressed the situation publicly in detail, he responded to Bailey’s appointment on social media with a short message: “Welcome 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸.”
Bailey’s Background and Appointment
Andrew Bailey has served as Missouri’s Attorney General since 2023 and has built a national profile as a staunch conservative and Trump ally. He was previously considered for the FBI Director position but was not selected after Trump reportedly expressed a preference for a more aggressive legal figure, according to CNN.
In a resignation letter announcing his departure from Missouri’s attorney general office, Bailey wrote:
“Serving my home state has been the honor of my professional career. Together, we’ve defended the rule of law and safeguarded our freedoms. I am forever grateful.”
He also thanked Bondi and Trump for the opportunity to join what he described as the effort to “Make America Safe Again.”
Speculation Over Bongino’s Future
Some analysts and media figures have interpreted Bailey’s appointment as a sign that Bongino is being gradually phased out of his leadership role.
“The Fox reporting tonight is that Dan Bongino is effectively out,” said MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. “He’s had someone else given his same job title, after reportedly clashing with the White House and AG Pam Bondi over the administration’s efforts to suppress Epstein-related material.”
Democratic strategist Max Burns added that the White House appears to be “quietly managing [Bongino] out of the FBI.”
However, no official announcement has been made regarding Bongino’s removal, and the White House has not commented on any personnel changes related to the deputy director position.
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