Andrew Bailey, the co-deputy director of the FBI, announced Monday that he is leaving his job.
Mr. Bailey’s exit comes one year after he took up the post; he is the latest high-profile leadership change at the bureau under FBI Director Kash Patel.
In a social media post, Mr. Bailey thanked President Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Mr. Patel “for the opportunity to serve under President Trump’s leadership,” adding that they have delivered “historic results in our mission to Make America Safe Again.”
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“With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri,” he said. “I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability.”
The role of deputy director had always been a one-person job up until August 2025, when Mr. Bailey, who left his state attorney general job for the FBI leadership post, was appointed and initially shared the role of second-in-command with Dan Bongino.
Last December, Mr. Bongino left the FBI after conflicts with former Attorney General Pam Bondi over how the Justice Department dealt with the release of the Epstein files.
Following Mr. Bongino’s exit, Mr. Bailey served as co-deputy director with Christopher Raia, a career agent who previously headed up the FBI in New York.
Mr. Patel is facing scrutiny for how he is restructuring the FBI, as many long-time agents and analysts have been forced out during his tenure, which has led to legal action against Mr. Patel and other Trump allies, alleging the terminations were politically orchestrated.
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