FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced Monday he is leaving his government role to return to his family in Missouri. He joined the bureau in September 2025 in a new position that had never existed before.
Bailey stated clearly that he is “stepping down to return to my family in Missouri” in a post on X. He thanked President Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the chance to serve the nation. According to a source close to the matter, the New York Post reported Bailey found it difficult to be so distant from home.
I want to thank President Trump, @AGToddBlanche, and @FBIDirectorKash for the opportunity to serve in the FBI. Under President Trump’s leadership, we have delivered historic results in our mission to Make America Safe Again. With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am…
— Andrew Bailey (@AndrewBaileyMO) September 28, 2026
The New York Post reported that Bailey found it hard to settle in at the bureau while living apart from his loved ones. He served alongside Dan Bongino initially, before Bongino left in December 2025. Bailey then worked with Chris Raia, a career agent with deep knowledge of the FBI.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a strong statement supporting Bailey’s choice to leave. Patel added that Bailey’s reforms will live on even though he is gone.
Before taking this post, Bailey was the attorney general of Missouri. The ABC News outlet noted he led a major fight against social media censorship there. He also filed lawsuits against the Biden administration over issues like transgender athletes and immigration.
His time at the FBI included leading election integrity probes. ABC News reported he appeared with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard during a raid on the Fulton County election office. That operation secured ballots and documents linked to the 2020 election.
New: former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that he is leaving his post as co-deputy FBI Director, three people familiar with matter told MS Now. Bailey had been overseeing election related matters,
among other things. His message to the workforce said he…— Ken Dilanian (@KDilanianMSNOW) September 28, 2026
Some reports suggest internal friction may have played a role in his departure. Breitbart reported that Bailey was reportedly irritated by the latest demotion of two senior counterterrorism agents. These agents were handling an investigation into harassing calls made to Stephen Miller’s wife.
Fox News reported that the resignation came shortly after those two agents were demoted and reassigned last week. Bailey had overseen election matters among other duties during his year in office. The NBC News outlet confirmed an internal email stated he was leaving for family reasons.
Bailey expressed confidence that Director Patel will continue to reform the bureau. The co-deputy role he held was a historic first for the agency.
