Andrew Bailey (left), Dan Bongino (AP)
US President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Missouri attorney general Andrew Bailey as co‑deputy director of the FBI, a strategic move intended to ease mounting tensions within the bureau over handling of sensitive Jeffrey Epstein case files. The decision was first reported by Fox News.Bailey will serve alongside current deputy director Dan Bongino, who clashed with Bondi over the release of Epstein‑related documents. At one point, Bongino reportedly threatened to resign, citing untenable working conditions, according to the news outlet Politico.
The White House deferred comment to the department of justice, which has not yet responded.
Who is Andrew Bailey?
A former prosecutor and a staunch Trump loyalist, Bailey has held the Missouri AG post since January 2023. He campaigned on a pro‑Trump legal agenda, highlighted by a petition to the US Supreme Court to lift a gag order on Trump and delay his New York sentencing until after the 2024 election. Bailey won a full four‑year term in November 2024 after defeating former White House staff secretary Will Scharf.
Reactions and role transition
The appointment was made by AG Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel, signaling a potential shift in internal power dynamics. It may foreshadow Bongino’s eventual exit, clearing the way for Bailey to assume full operational control, reported Axios.Bailey expressed gratitude on social media to both Trump and Bondi, calling it an honour to support their mission to “Make America Safe Again.” Bongino, despite shared duties, publicly welcomed him with a patriotic message on X (formerly Twitter).
Broader context
The dual appointment breaks FBI tradition, typically, only one highly experienced veteran serves as deputy director. Bailey himself lacks direct FBI experience but brings strong political and prosecutorial credentials aligned with Trump’s priorities. This shake‑up comes amid widespread disquiet within the MAGA base and heightened scrutiny of the FBI’s Epstein file management. Agents have been reassigned to enforce Trump‑era directives on immigration and crime control, adding to internal friction.Bailey is set to step down as Missouri AG and assume the co‑deputy role officially on September 8.
