Trump-Appointed FBI Official Dan Bongino May Resign Over Epstein Files Clash: Report

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is reportedly considering resignation after a major dispute between the bureau and Department of Justice (DOJ) over the fallout from the release of the Jeffrey Epstein memo, according to sources cited by CNN.

Newsweek reached out to the FBI via email for comment Friday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Epstein, the financier and sex offender who died in prison six years ago, socialized with some of the world’s most powerful people. While his death was ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories persist that he was instead killed due to his purported “client list,” which many have speculated to contain the names of politicians including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain’s Prince Andrew.

Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign suggested he would release files related to Epstein, with a first batch publicized in February by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. However, earlier this week, Trump and Bondi said they found “no incriminating ‘client list'” related to Epstein, triggering major backlash among both Democrats and MAGA supporters.

Billionaire Elon Musk last month said the government had not released records related to the case because Trump “is in the Epstein files.” While the president has dismissed Musk’s claim, it has sparked further interest in the government’s records.

What To Know

Tensions within the Trump administration escalated after a heated exchange earlier in the week between Bongino and Bondi regarding management of the case, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins reported Friday. Multiple sources told the outlet that Bongino did not turn up to work on Friday, increasing speculation that he is eyeing an exit.

Following the exchange, Bongino told people he has considered resigning, with the infighting over the case and claims that he and FBI Director Kash Patel were behind a story that the FBI wanted more information released but were undermined by the DOJ.

Bongino has denied that allegation, first reported by NewsNation and citing a White House source who said Patel and Bongino wanted to unseal evidence months ago and release “every single piece of evidence they could, while protecting victims.”

Bongino in May first revealed the existence of video that he said made it certain that the disgraced financier had died by suicide while in federal custody. He clarified that the video did not show the “actual act” but proved that Epstein was the only person who entered or exited his cell the night he died, on August 10, 2019.

Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI agent and federal whistleblower, earlier this week predicted that Bongino would leave the bureau at some point this year, telling Infowars’ Alex Jones: “I think Bongino’s gone at the end of the year. I think that was true before this. I think that Patel doesn’t make it past midterms if they decide to switch over.”

When was Dan Bongino appointed FBI Deputy Director?

When Trump appointed Bongino to his role as FBI deputy director in late February, the president praised Bongino as “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.”

Bongino formerly served in the New York Police Department and as a Secret Service agent on the security detail for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

He also ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 2012 and for congressional seats in Maryland and Florida in 2014 and 2016, losing each race, and ultimately deciding to join Fox News as a host.

Bongino has long supported Trump through his podcast, The Dan Bongino Show, which ranked as the 56th most-popular podcast on Spotify before he took his post at the FBI. Trump had appeared on the podcast in October 2024 in the final weeks leading up to the presidential election.

What People Are Saying

The DOJ in response to a Newsweek request for comment referred to a post on X by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who wrote: “I worked closely with [FBI Director Kash Patel] and [FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino] on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files. All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”

In response to Blanche’s post, far-right political activist Laura Loomer wrote on X, in part: “How come nobody signed their name to the memo? [Todd Blanche]. My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO. This has caused tension between Blondi, Kash, and Bongino. Asking for transparency isn’t difficult.”

“Blondi is literally blowing up the Trump admin by concealing information, spending time on Fox News lying to MAGA base and by releasing contradictory statements,” Loomer continued. “There is information that can be released that the public wants to see. Why was the Memo released on a Sunday night on 4th of July weekend with no official signage and no names of any admin officials?”

She later added that Bondi “is hurting President Trump and his staff/advisors. She lied on national TV and needs to be held accountable for harming the Trump admin and public trust.”

President Donald Trump on Tuesday at the White House, to a reporter: “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this where we’re having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas. It just seems like a desecration.”

What Happens Next

The fallout from the Epstein memo continues to unfold for the Trump administration, and it remains to be seen if Bongino does actually quit his position. Should he quit, it would be another major public relations blow for the administration as Trump seeks to move on from Epstein and the immense public pressure surrounding the issue.

Update 7/11/25, 4:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 7/11/25, 3:11 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.