In what seems to be a primary for the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel introduced Monday that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will serve as co-deputy director of the company after a rift arose final month with Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
Bailey will serve beside Bongino, Bondi and Patel informed Fox News Digital, which was first to report the announcement. Bongino was tapped as the FBI’s sole deputy director earlier this 12 months and triggered a stir in July when he largely excommunicated himself from most of his colleagues following a major rift with Bondi over the dealing with of the Jeffrey Epstein recordsdata.
“I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI,” Bondi informed Fox News Digital. “He has served as a distinguished state attorney general and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service. His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission.”
Bailey was into account to lead the FBI earlier than the president’s inauguration. He interviewed for the job with Trump late final 12 months in Mar-a-Lago across the identical time Patel interviewed for the place. Ultimately, Trump wasn’t impressed with the Missouri official, NCS reported, and mentioned that Bailey didn’t match the mould of the authorized bulldog the president-elect needed to helm the FBI.
Bongino’s future within the company has been in query for the reason that internecine squabble over the DOJ’s dealing with of the Epstein recordsdata that Trump himself needed tamped down.
“To Missouri, thank you,” Bailey wrote on social media. “My tenure as Attorney General has been the honor of my professional career, but what has made it truly meaningful has been the opportunity to serve my home state. Together, we have defended the rule of law and safeguarded our freedoms. I am forever grateful.”
Following the information of Bailey’s appointment, Bongino posted on social media, “Welcome” with three American flag emojis.