The Divide · September 28, 2026
FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey Resigns, Citing Family Reasons
Andrew Bailey, who served as co-deputy director of the FBI, announced his resignation on Monday in a social media post, stating he was returning to his family in Missouri. Bailey had held the position since August 2025, initially alongside conservative podcaster Dan Bongino and later alongside career agent Chris Raia. FBI Director Kash Patel thanked Bailey on social media for his service and for "instituting critical reforms."
How the coverage split
CNN led with reporting that Patel and Bailey's relationship had cooled quickly and that Bailey had been passed over for the director role, framing the departure with internal tension as context.
Fox News led with Bailey's own statement and Patel's praise, presenting the departure as an amicable conclusion to a productive tenure without mentioning any reported friction between the two men.
What both sides skipped
No source addressed whether Bailey's departure triggers any formal review of the co-deputy director structure or whether Patel has indicated plans for a replacement.
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