The federal law-enforcement agency witnessed another senior turnover this week when Andrew Bailey confirmed his departure from the position of co-deputy director of the FBI. Bailey, who had been appointed in September 2025 alongside then-deputy director Dan Bongino, posted a brief statement on social media on Monday, explaining that he would return to his home state for personal reasons.
In his message, Bailey expressed gratitude toward President Donald Trump Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve. He highlighted the “historic results” achieved under the administration’s “Make America Safe Again” agenda before noting that his last day would be the upcoming Friday.
How the unconventional co-deputy system was created
The FBI traditionally operates with a single deputy director, but a 2025 restructuring introduced a three-person leadership team. The arrangement paired Patel with two co-deputies: the media-savvy former Secret Service operative Dan Bongino and the political newcomer Andrew Bailey, both selected for their alignment with the Trump-era vision for the bureau. This setup was short-lived; Bongino departed in January 2026 to resume his podcasting career, and the role was subsequently filled by Christopher Raia a career special agent who had previously headed the New York field office.
Bailey’s path from state politics to the FBI
Before entering the federal arena, Bailey served as Missouri Attorney General from 2022 until his resignation in 2025. During that tenure he pursued a confrontational legal strategy, frequently targeting policies of the Biden administration while championing initiatives championed by the Trump government. His rapid rise within the Republican network of Missouri—alongside figures like White House counsel Will Scharf and former solicitor general D. John Sauer—culminated in his selection for the unprecedented FBI post.
Reasons for the exit and broader implications
An internal FBI memorandum cited “family considerations” as the primary motive for Bailey’s resignation. The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of Director Patel, who is currently suing The Atlantic for $250 million over a critical article and has faced vigorous questioning from Democratic members of Congress. Patel responded to Bailey’s statement by praising his “fantastic contributions” and reiterating confidence in the bureau’s ongoing reforms.
Governor Mike Kehoe has already named former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway to fill the vacant attorney-general seat in Missouri. Bailey’s exit, coming barely a year after his appointment, underscores the volatility of the Trump-inspired leadership experiment within the FBI and raises questions about the durability of the co-deputy model.
