In an unprecedented shakeup, the FBI’s current No.2 official, Dan Bongino, will soon share his job title with a co-deputy director.
Andrew Bailey, the staunchly pro-Trump attorney general of Missouri, announced he will step aside from his current position in September to join FBI leadership alongside Bongino.
“My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level,” Bailey said in a statement.
The unusual arrangement comes after Bongino is said to have lost favor within the White House after a dramatic fight with attorney general Pam Bondi over the Epstein files.
Bongino knocked down?
Bongino’s response to Bailey’s hiring was terse: “Welcome,” Bongino wrote on X, with some American flag emojis.
By contrast, Bondi issued a statement full of effusive praise for Bailey.
“I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI. He has served as a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service,” said U.S. Attorney General Bondi.
“His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission. While we know this is undoubtedly a great loss for Missouri, it is a tremendous gain for America.”
Unprecedented shakeup
This appears to be the first time that the FBI has ever had two deputy directors. The situation is certain to raise questions about whether Bongino is being pushed aside.
The former cop turned conservative media personality reportedly clashed with Bondi after the Justice Department released its controversial Epstein memo. Bongino even threatened to quit unless Trump fired Bondi – an ultimatum that angered Trump, but the president dismissed questions about the deputy director’s future.
“Dan Bongino is a very good guy. I’ve known him a long time. I’ve done his show many, many times. And he sounded terrific, actually, no, I think he’s in good shape,” Trump told reporters.
Trump defender
During his tenure as attorney general of Missouri, Bailey has become known as a fervent Trump backer and conservative culture warrior.
Bailey sued New York state over its politically motivated criminal prosecution of Trump last year, arguing the case interfered with Missourians’ voting rights.
“Thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as our new FBI co-deputy director,” Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, wrote on social media. “As Missouri’s attorney general, he took on the swamp, fought weaponized government, and defended the Constitution. Now he is bringing that fight to DOJ.”
Bailey’s last day as Missouri attorney general is September 8. The state’s governor, Mike Kehoe, (R), will choose a temporary replacement until an election is held.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Matthew Boose
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://www.patriotnewsalerts.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.
