The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is undergoing a major leadership shakeup, with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announcing his resignation to become co-deputy director alongside conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino. This change, effective September 8, introduces a first-of-its-kind dual-deputy structure under FBI Director Kash Patel, signaling further shifts in the bureau’s top ranks amid ongoing purges initiated by the Trump administration.
Bailey, a staunch Republican known for his aggressive legal battles against Biden-era policies on immigration and transgender rights, confirmed the move in a statement on Monday. “I am stepping down effective Sept. 8 to serve as the FBI’s co-deputy director,” Bailey said, emphasizing his commitment to “restoring integrity” to federal law enforcement.
The appointment is part of a broader “house-cleaning” effort, according to sources close to the administration, aimed at removing officials viewed as resistant to new executive priorities. The shakeup builds on earlier actions in August, when at least three senior FBI officials were abruptly dismissed. On August 7, reports surfaced that Brian Driscoll, a veteran FBI official and former acting director who had resisted Trump administration demands related to the January 6 investigations, was ousted.
Driscoll, who briefly served as acting director following Christopher Wray’s resignation in January 2025, was reportedly pressured to disclose sensitive information during Trump’s prior term but refused—leading to his inclusion in the current purge. Alongside Driscoll, Walter Giardina, an agent tied to investigations involving former Trump adviser Peter Navarro and other high-profile Trump-related cases, and Steven Jensen, the acting head of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, were also forced out.
Jensen’s farewell letter to colleagues, circulated internally on August 8, confirmed his termination: “Last night I was informed that my employment with the FBI will be terminated effective tomorrow, August 8, 2025. I intend to meet this challenge like any other I have faced in this organization—with professionalism, integrity, and dignity.” He urged staff to “never waver in your resolve to answer the call to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” underscoring the emotional toll of the changes.
These departures are part of a broader wave of forced retirements and firings that began shortly after President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017 but later criticized for perceived biases, stepped down on January 20, clearing the way for Patel’s confirmation as director. Patel, a former Trump aide and outspoken critic of the “deep state,” has since overseen the removal of at least six senior leaders, with more expected as the administration seeks to align the FBI with its agenda on election integrity, border security, and counterterrorism.
Critics, including former FBI officials, have condemned the changes as an unprecedented politicization of the bureau. A former FBI lawyer called the shakeup “unprecedented,” warning it could undermine the agency’s independence. Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent, struck a more hopeful tone on Fox News, saying there is “hope” for the embattled agency under new leadership, which could help restore public trust eroded by past scandals.
Supporters, however, argue the restructuring is a necessary reform. Conservative commentators on social media celebrated the move, with one post declaring, “FBI Leadership Gets Major Shakeup – Great for the FBI and the country!”
The co-deputy director role—the first in FBI history—appears intended to share responsibilities and introduce outside perspectives beyond traditional bureaucratic channels. Meanwhile, the FBI is accelerating recruitment and training of new agents to fill vacancies, particularly those tied to January 6 and Trump-related prosecutions. The long-term impact of these changes remains uncertain.
With Bailey’s arrival, the bureau under Patel and Bongino seems poised to take a more aggressive stance on conservative priorities, though questions remain about morale and operational stability amid the rapid turnover. The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has not commented on the specifics, but sources suggest this is only the beginning of a broader restructuring.
