FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has taken a personal day and may resign following a tense confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding how the Trump administration handled Jeffrey Epstein’s investigation materials.
The dispute unfolded during a recent White House meeting that included Bondi, Bongino, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. According to sources, Bongino pressed for more transparency about files—including Epstein’s alleged client list—but officials later confirmed no such list exists.Bongino, a former conservative podcaster turned FBI deputy, has faced heavy criticism over his role in the Epstein file release. Though initially pushing conspiracy theories, he later defended the DOJ-FBI memo concluding Epstein’s death was a confirmed suicide and that no evidence tied others to his crimes.His frustration appears tied to public confusion and internal pressures after Bondi’s earlier public remarks raised expectations of fresh evidence. Reportedly, Bongino has not decided whether to remain in his position if Bondi continues in her role.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and the White House maintain that DOJ and FBI leadership remain unified and that their shared memo speaks for itself. However, Bongino’s potential departure highlights unresolved tension between ideological expectations and institutional integrity at the nation’s top law enforcement agencies.