"I am announcing my departure from this position to return to my family in Missouri", Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Andrew Bailey announced on X on 28/9.
Bailey thanked President Donald Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to serve the administration. He expressed confidence that Director Patel "will continue to reform the FBI, combat crime, protect the country, and restore public trust".
"Under President Trump's leadership, we achieved historic results in our mission to make America safe again", Bailey stated.
According to the Washington Post, Bailey's departure from the FBI marks a notable turning point, as he was widely considered loyal to President Trump. He was once a potential candidate for FBI director or US Attorney General. A source familiar with the matter indicated that the relationship between Director Patel and his deputy "deteriorated rapidly" after Bailey joined the agency.
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Andrew Bailey as Missouri attorney general in 1/2025. Photo: AP. |
Bailey previously served as Missouri attorney general for two years before joining the FBI last August. He shared the deputy director position with Dan Bongino, a conservative podcaster and former US secret service agent. The FBI deputy director position does not require Senate confirmation and is responsible for managing the agency's daily operations.
The appointments of Bongino and Bailey drew attention because neither had prior FBI experience. Bongino resigned in January, reportedly feeling unsuitable for the job's demands. Christopher Raia, an official with many years of service at the FBI, replaced Bongino.
One of the most notable events during Bailey's brief tenure at the FBI was his direct presence at the scene when the agency executed a search warrant in January. This operation aimed to seize 2020 ballots and other election documents in Fulton County, Georgia.
It is rare for an FBI deputy director to directly oversee a routine investigative operation. The event garnered more attention due to its politically charged nature, as Trump repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was stolen, despite offering no evidence.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, CNN)
