FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino made apparent his decision about whether to remain in his position following a reported rift last week with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bongino reported to work and fulfilled his scheduled duties on Monday, according to CNN, following days of speculation about his potential resignation over tensions with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bongino had been absent from the FBI office on Friday and was reportedly unresponsive to colleagues after a heated dispute with Bondi. As of Monday morning, no one at the Justice Department had spoken with him since Wednesday, when he allegedly threatened to resign over frustrations with how the Epstein investigation was being handled.
President Donald Trump, displeased with the internal strife, weighed in over the weekend, defending Bondi in a post on Truth Social, calling her performance “fantastic.” He also praised the FBI’s broader efforts, including investigations into the Russia collusion narrative and the 2020 election, while urging both parties to resolve the dispute.
When asked about the situation on Sunday, President Trump confirmed that he had also spoken with Bongino. “I think so. I spoke to him today,” the president said when asked whether his deputy FBI director would be staying on. “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.”
Patel also responded to reports that he too was considering his resignation over Bondi’s handling of the Epstein case. “The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been. It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States [Donald Trump] — and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me,” the FBI Director wrote in an X post.
In a statement Monday, White House spokesman Harrison Fields mentioned Bondi, Patel and Bongino as part of Trump’s “incredible team of Law and Order patriots who are committed to Making America Safe Again and restoring the integrity of our criminal justice system.”
