Bongino's tenure was at times tumultuous, including a clash with Justice Department leadership over the Epstein files. But it also involved the arrest of a suspect in the Jan. 6 pipe bomber case.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is leaving his post, ending a nine-month tenure during which he drew criticism from within the agency for his lack of experience and clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Epstein files.

President Donald Trump commended Bongino on his tenure and suggested that he would be returning to his job as a conservative podcaster.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Wednesday that he will resign from the bureau next month, ending a brief and tumultuous tenure in which he clashed with the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and was forced to reconcile the realities of his law enforcement job with provocative claims he made in his prior role as a popular podcast host.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has told confidants he plans to step down from his role early next year, according to reports.

The departure of Mr. Bongino had seemed inevitable since August, when the White House hired Missouri’s attorney general, Andrew Bailey, to share his job as deputy director.

President Donald Trump explains the reason behind Dan Bongino's FBI exit.

Asked Dec. 17 if Bongino told him why he's leaving, Trump said: "Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show."

Deputy FBI director Dan Bongino is stepping down soon from the job after eight months marked by clashes with his boss, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and fighting off the conspiracies he once fueled.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino has been telling colleagues that he will likely leave in the new year, according to sources familiar with his thinking.