FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey Resigns After Just One Year in Post

Andrew Bailey joined the FBI in September 2025, stepping into the new and unusual role of co-deputy director. This position was created to bring a fresh approach to bureau leadership, pairing Bailey with Dan Bongino as part of a three-person team.

The move was seen as a way to ease internal tensions, especially after disagreements between former Attorney General Pam Bondi and then-Deputy Director Bongino. Bailey, originally from Missouri, brought outside perspective and was tasked with helping stabilize the agency.

Bailey's appointment came during a period of transition for the FBI, with Director Kash Patel overseeing several high-level changes. According to reports, Bailey was brought in partly to address leadership rifts and foster cooperation at the top.

Throughout his tenure, Bailey reportedly faced challenges adjusting to the bureau's environment. Sources familiar with his departure noted that being far from his family in Missouri made it difficult for him to settle in. He was also involved in overseeing sensitive investigations, including work related to election integrity.

On September 28, 2026, Bailey announced his resignation via a post on social media. He thanked President Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanc for the opportunity, and stated that he was leaving to spend more time with his family. The timing of his departure coincides with ongoing turnover among senior officials at the FBI under Director Patel.

His exit has added to speculation about the stability of the FBI's leadership and raised questions about the effectiveness of the co-deputy arrangement.

As of late September 2026, Andrew Bailey has officially left his position as FBI co-deputy director. The agency is now left with a leadership gap, as Bailey's resignation follows a series of other high-profile departures.

The FBI has not announced a replacement or whether the co-deputy director structure will continue. The bureau faces uncertainty about how it will fill the position and maintain leadership continuity amid ongoing internal changes.

Key questions remain about who will fill Bailey's role and whether the FBI will stick with its co-deputy director model. Observers are also watching to see if further resignations or appointments signal more significant shifts in the agency's direction.