FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey Resigns After One Year of Tensions
Andrew Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general and FBI co-deputy director, has resigned after serving for approximately one year. He cited family reasons in a social media post, though reports suggest his departure follows significant friction with FBI Director Kash Patel. Bailey’s exit marks the end of the bureau’s nontraditional split deputy director structure, leaving Christopher Raia as the sole co-deputy director.
Key points
- Andrew Bailey announced his resignation from the FBI on Monday, effective October 2, 2026.
- Bailey cited family reasons for his departure, but sources indicate tensions with Director Kash Patel.
- The resignation ends the unique co-deputy director model, which previously included Dan Bongino.
- Bailey had overseen election-related investigations, including the 2020 Georgia ballot seizure.
- Christopher Raia remains as the sole co-deputy director, with no immediate replacement announced.
Background
Bailey was appointed to the FBI in September 2025 as part of a nontraditional leadership structure that split the deputy director role between two individuals. This followed the earlier departure of Dan Bongino, a podcaster with no formal FBI experience, who resigned in January 2026. Bailey’s appointment was controversial due to his lack of law enforcement background and his support for debunked claims regarding the 2020 election.
How outlets are covering it
The Washington Post and The New York Times both reported that Bailey’s departure was driven by family reasons, but The New York Times noted that Bailey and Christopher Raia had a contentious relationship with Patel, going long stretches without speaking. CNN reported that relations between Patel and Bailey cooled quickly after Bailey’s arrival, and that Bailey was originally considered for the FBI director role but was passed over by Trump. The Guardian highlighted Bailey’s role in overseeing election-related investigations, including the 2020 Georgia ballot seizure, and noted that Patel praised Bailey’s contributions in a social media post.
Why it matters
Bailey’s resignation signals ongoing instability within the FBI’s leadership under the Trump administration. The departure of a high-profile appointee raises questions about the bureau’s direction and the potential for further political interference in law enforcement operations. It also highlights the challenges of integrating political appointees into a traditionally career-driven agency.
What to watch
The FBI is expected to determine whether to return to the traditional single deputy director model or maintain the co-deputy structure. The White House may announce a new appointee to fill the vacancy, though no immediate replacement has been named. The bureau will also need to address the impact of Bailey’s departure on ongoing election-related investigations and other high-profile cases.
- Andrew Bailey, No. 2 at FBI, resigns in latest shake-up at bureau The Washington Post
- Andrew Bailey, a Deputy Director at the F.B.I., Leaves His Job The New York Times
- Trump appointee overseeing election investigations steps down from FBI role The Guardian
- FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey resigns after year in role Fox News
- One of Kash Patel’s deputies resigns from the FBI CNN
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