Federal Bureau of Investigation Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation on Monday, September 28, 2026. Stepping down after just over a year in the bureau’s second-ranking role, Bailey stated that he intends to return to his family in Missouri.
The former Missouri attorney general shared his decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He expressed appreciation for top administration officials and registered confidence in current agency leadership despite documented internal friction.
Background on the Co-Deputy Director Role
Bailey took office in September 2025 alongside Dan Bongino. The arrangement marked an unusual dual-deputy structure for the bureau. FBI Director Kash Patel implemented this structure during a period marked by heightened tensions between the FBI and the Justice Department regarding Jeffrey Epstein file releases.
Following Bongino’s departure in January, Bailey continued serving alongside Christopher Raia, the former assistant director in charge of the bureau’s New York City Field Office. Throughout his tenure, Bailey participated in high-profile initiatives, including leading election integrity investigations. Notably, he appeared alongside then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in January 2026 at a raid on the Fulton County, Georgia, election office, where documents and ballots related to the 2020 election were seized.
Internal Dynamics and Reactions
Media reports leading up to Bailey’s departure pointed to a strained working relationship with FBI Director Kash Patel. Sources indicated that Bailey was occasionally excluded from high-level meetings due to constitutional disputes over certain bureau procedures. However, administration figures publicly acknowledged his contributions upon the announcement of his exit.
"With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri," Bailey wrote on social media. "I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability, and restore public trust in this institution of excellence."
FBI Director Kash Patel also addressed the transition on X, thanking Bailey for his public service.
"Although Andrew is leaving the FBI in order to return to his family in Missouri, his fantastic contribution instituting critical reforms which resulted in our historic success will live on," Patel posted. "Andrew’s leadership at the FBI will be missed but we are grateful he answered the call to serve!"
The White House deferred to Patel’s public statements regarding the departure. It remains unconfirmed whether Christopher Raia will assume sole responsibilities as the agency’s No. 2 official following Bailey’s exit.
