2:37Dan Bongino, the Deputy Director of the FBI, addresses the media during a news conference at the Department of Justice on Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP
On Wednesday, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino announced that he plans to depart from his role in January.
According to insiders, Bongino had been informing colleagues of his intentions to potentially leave at the start of the new year, though no formal statement has been issued.
Sources indicated to ABC News that he has been gradually clearing out his office.
During a brief encounter with reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump was questioned about Bongino’s future and responded, "Dan did a great job. I think he wanted to return to his show," referring to the podcast Bongino previously hosted.
Dan Bongino, the Deputy Director of the FBI, addresses the media during a news conference at the Department of Justice on Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington.Alex Brandon/AP
In a message shared on X, Bongino expressed his gratitude to Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel "for the opportunity to serve with purpose."
"Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the honor of serving you," he remarked.
"God bless America, and all those who protect Her," he concluded.
Since July, Bongino’s future had been in doubt following the backlash over the Justice Department’s decision to withhold further records from its inquiries into the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, multiple sources familiar with the situation confirmed to ABC News.
Sources revealed that Bongino had hinted to associates that he might resign due to the outrage surrounding the announcement.
Bongino often discussed the Epstein case on his podcast.
In a 2023 episode, Bongino urged listeners, "That Jeffrey Epstein story is significant … Please do not allow this story to fade away," attributing the lack of transparency to individuals in the "Washington swamp who are not being truthful with you."
ABC News' Mike Levine contributed to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com