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."
Andrew Bailey, a former Missouri attorney general, was brought into the FBI last year by Director Kash Patel to serve in a newly created "co-deputy director" role — an arrangement that split responsibilities traditionally held by a single career FBI agent managing the bureau's roughly 38,000 employees. Bailey's appointment was part of a broader restructuring under Patel's leadership.
Bailey initially shared the co-deputy role with Dan Bongino, a conservative podcaster and former Secret Service member, who resigned in December 2025 amid reported clashes with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bongino was replaced by Chris Raia, the former assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York City Field Office, with the co-deputy structure remaining in place. Bailey's own departure leaves that structure's future uncertain.
In his resignation statement posted to X, Bailey said he was leaving "with great pride" in what was accomplished and expressed confidence that Patel "will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability and restore public trust." Patel responded by praising Bailey's "fantastic contribution instituting critical reforms."