FBI Leadership Turnover
FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey to Step Down Amid Leadership Turmoil
Anonymous
Andrew Bailey, a former Missouri attorney general, is set to leave his role as FBI co-deputy director on Friday, Oct. 2, after about a year and return to Missouri to spend more time with his family. He joined the bureau in 2025 in an unusual shared deputy-director arrangement, following Dan Bongino, who also left the role within a year. Bailey’s departure comes amid broader FBI leadership turnover, scrutiny and concerns about politicization. Reports describe strained relations between Bailey and FBI Director Kash Patel and say Bailey was frustrated that he was not chosen as director and that two counterterrorism supervisors were demoted; Bailey has not confirmed those factors. Patel thanked Bailey and praised his service and contributions to the bureau.
Key Points
1
Bailey became Missouri attorney general in November 2022 after Eric Schmitt won a U.S. Senate seat, then won election to the post in 2024 before leaving for the FBI; Catherine Hanaway filled the vacancy he left.
2
After Dan Bongino left the FBI, career agent Chris Raia replaced him, while the unconventional co-deputy-director arrangement remained in place.
3
In announcing his departure, Bailey said the FBI had delivered “historic results” under President Trump and expressed confidence Patel would continue reforms, combat violent crime and “restore public trust” in the bureau.
4
Bailey resigned as Missouri attorney general effective Sept. 8, 2025, and was sworn in at the FBI a week later, on Sept. 15.
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