FBI Director Kash Patel has named Christopher Raia, a seasoned career agent, to replace Dan Bongino as deputy director, in accordance to individuals briefed on the matter.
Raia is a revered agent with 22 years’ expertise, and his appointment restores the decades-long custom of getting a career agent serve in the function. He will serve alongside co-deputy director Andrew Bailey, a political appointee put in in that function in September by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The deputy FBI director function is accountable for day-to-day administration of the FBI, which is why Patel wished an insider to deal with the job. His plans for career deputy upon taking workplace final yr had been dashed when the White House selected Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and distinguished pro-Trump podcaster to take the job.
Dan Bongino says he is stepping down as FBI deputy director in January
Struggles emerged rapidly and inside months Bongino was publicly letting or not it’s identified he hated the job. He complained in interviews that the lengthy hours and time away from household had been tough. Bongino’s mercurial administration model and his social media sparring with critics added to tensions inside the bureau.
The FBI didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Raia most lately served as assistant director of the New York discipline workplace, considered one of the bureau’s most coveted roles, taking up the function in April following a tumultuous purge of senior management of the FBI in the opening months of President Donald Trump’s second time period. ABC News earlier reported Raia’s appointment.
The Raia appointment will possible be welcome information to brokers and workers who’ve handled the turmoil of the previous yr.
In early 2025 close to the finish of the Biden administration, after a terrorist assault in New Orleans and missteps in the early dealing with of the investigation, Raia was dispatched to take over administration of the probe and current a gentle public response.