In a startling development, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is reportedly contemplating resignation amid escalating tensions between the FBI and the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
According to CNN, the conflict, centered on a recent memo release about Epstein’s death and alleged client list, has sparked frustration among President Donald Trump’s supporters and within his administration, leading to internal disputes and public speculation about Bongino’s future at the FBI.
The controversy traces back to the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in August 2019 while awaiting trial in a federal criminal case. Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center and was pronounced dead at a hospital, with his death officially ruled a suicide. During the 2024 campaign, Trump expressed intentions to potentially release additional government files related to Epstein, fueling hopes among his supporters for revelations about high-profile figures or challenges to the suicide ruling.
On Monday, the Justice Department released a memo stating there was no evidence Epstein maintained a “client list” or was murdered, a conclusion that ignited anger and suspicion among many of Trump’s base in the MAGA community.
For months, FBI and Justice Department officials have clashed over how to handle the review of Epstein-related files, with tensions spilling into the public eye by Friday. Adding to the discord, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced criticism from many of Trump’s close advisers, both inside and outside the White House, for her approach to the Epstein files.
Earlier this week, a heated confrontation unfolded between Bongino and Bondi regarding the management of the Epstein case. On Wednesday, a meeting at the White House involving Bongino, Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles addressed a story suggesting the FBI sought to release more information but was obstructed by the Justice Department. Bongino denied leaking the story to NewsNation, which published it, though he refrained from endorsing a statement defending the review process cited in the article.
By Friday, speculation intensified when Bongino did not show up for work, leading some to believe he had already resigned. However, a source confirmed that as of Friday afternoon, Bongino had not officially left his position at the FBI. CNN has reached out to Bongino and the FBI for comment, noting that he has yet to make a final decision about stepping down.
Far-right provocateur Laura Loomer, who is close to administration figures, posted on social media Friday that Bongino and Patel were extremely upset with Bondi over the Epstein matter, further stoking rumors of Bongino’s potential exit. Bongi’s absence on Friday was also highlighted in Loomer’s posts, amplifying public curiosity about his status. Internally, Bongino and Patel have expressed ongoing frustration with the Justice Department’s handling of the case, partly due to an early interview where Bondi suggested the FBI was still reviewing files that had already been transferred to the DOJ.
One specific point of contention for Bongino involves a 10-hour surveillance video from outside Epstein’s Manhattan jail cell on the day of his death. Bongino discovered the footage and believed it provided conclusive evidence that Epstein was not murdered, aligning with the official ruling of suicide. After its release, however, it was revealed that 60 seconds of the video were missing due to a jump in the footage, sparking online theories about what might have occurred during that gap.
Bondi publicly explained that the outdated recording system resets at midnight each day, resulting in the same minute being skipped every evening. Despite this clarification, Bongino faced internal criticism for the oversight regarding the missing segment of the video. The incident has only deepened the rift between the FBI and DOJ leadership over how information about Epstein is presented to the public.
Amid the growing controversy, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed claims of discord in a Friday post on X, stating, “The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.” White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields also weighed in, saying, “This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity.” Fields added, “Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.”
FBI Director Kash Patel took to X on Saturday to dismiss speculation, stating, “The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been.” He continued, “It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump— and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.” Patel’s comments aimed to refocus attention on the administration’s goals rather than internal disputes.
Earlier this year, in February, Bondi organized a White House event with pro-Trump social media influencers to showcase binders of Epstein-related documents. The event drew criticism when it emerged that most of the documents were already public, and Patel had little involvement in the presentation. Reflecting broader discontent, a source briefed on the matter told CNN, “The whole thing has been a complete mess and no one is happy.”
Recently, Bongino has reiterated commitments to releasing the Epstein files while attempting to temper expectations about their contents. His dual stance reflects the delicate balance of addressing public demand for transparency while managing the potential fallout from underwhelming revelations. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether Bongino will ultimately decide to step down amid the ongoing friction with the Justice Department.