FBI Deputy Andrew Bailey Resigns After Brief Tenure Under Kash Patel/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey announced that he is leaving the bureau after serving for just over a year. The former Missouri attorney general said he would return home to spend time with his family. FBI Director Kash Patel praised Bailey for his service and role in implementing reforms at the bureau.
Quick Look
- Andrew Bailey announced his departure Monday.
- He served as an FBI deputy director for just over a year.
- Bailey said he is returning to his family in Missouri.
- He joined the FBI leadership team in August 2025.
- Bailey originally served alongside co-deputy director Dan Bongino.
- Christopher Raia became another deputy director in January.
- Bailey previously served as Missouri attorney general.
- He is a strong Republican supporter of President Donald Trump.
- Bailey maintained a relatively low public profile at the FBI.
- He participated in the Fulton County election-fraud search in January.
Deep Look
Andrew Bailey Announces FBI Departure
WASHINGTON — Andrew Bailey, one of the FBI’s deputy directors, announced Monday that he was stepping down after serving for just over a year.
Bailey said he would return to Missouri to spend more time with his family.
The former Missouri attorney general announced his departure in a post on X, thanking President Donald Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel for “the opportunity to serve in the FBI.”
“With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri. I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability, and restore public trust in this institution of excellence,” Bailey wrote.
Bailey Joined During Epstein Files Dispute
Bailey became co-deputy director in August 2025, serving alongside Dan Bongino.
His appointment came during heightened tensions between leaders at the FBI and Justice Department over the handling and release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The leadership arrangement was unusual because the deputy director traditionally serves as the FBI’s sole second-ranking official.
Bailey remained at the bureau after Bongino announced his departure.
FBI Adds Another Deputy Director
In January, the FBI named veteran agent Christopher Raia as another deputy director serving under Patel.
The appointment meant Bailey continued working within an unconventional leadership structure involving multiple officials holding the deputy director title.
Bailey’s departure leaves Raia as the remaining deputy director identified in the announcement.
Patel Praises Bailey’s Service
Patel thanked Bailey for his work at the bureau.
In a social media post, the FBI director credited Bailey for his “dedicated service” and for “instituting critical reforms.”
Bailey’s statement expressed confidence that Patel would continue changing the bureau, strengthening accountability and rebuilding public confidence.
Former Missouri Attorney General Kept Low Profile
Before joining the FBI, Bailey served as Missouri’s attorney general and was an outspoken Republican supporter of Trump.
He maintained a relatively low public profile during his brief tenure in the bureau’s leadership.
Bailey was publicly seen in January when FBI agents executed a search warrant at Fulton County’s main election facility in Georgia.
The search was conducted as part of an FBI investigation into alleged election fraud.
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