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Dan Bongino has said he will leave his role as the FBI’s deputy director in January.<\/p>\n
“I want to thank President Trump, AG (Pam) Bondi, and Director (Kash) Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose,” Bongino wrote on X.<\/p>\n
It comes after US President Donald Trump said earlier on Wednesday the former podcast host “did a great job” in office, and “wants to go back to his show”.<\/p>\n
Bongino, who was appointed to the role by Donald Trump in February, was previously a New York City police officer and a US Secret Service agent. In recent years, he built a large following through his podcast and other media appearances. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Bongino, a staunch Trump ally, was considered a surprise pick for the role \u2013 which had previously been held by career agents \u2013 because he had no prior experience with the agency.<\/p>\n
The FBI Agents Association, which represents around 14,000 current and former agents, had opposed his appointment to the position.<\/p>\n
Announcing his decision in a social media post on Wednesday, he said: “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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
In July, according to the BBC’s media partner CBS News, Bongino’s frustration over the government’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files led to a contentious meeting between him and Attorney General Pam Bondi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n