FBI deputy chief Andrew Bailey to resign after a little more than a year with agency

Andrew Bailey, the co-deputy director of the FBI, announced his resignation on Monday, effective October 2nd. The decision was disclosed through an email to agents and a post on the social media platform X. Family reasons were cited as the primary cause for his departure. In response to Bailey's resignation, Patel expressed his appreciation for "his fantastic contribution instituting critical reforms" in an X post.

Bailey had previously served as the Missouri attorney general and was brought into the FBI to help bridge tensions between Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino. His appointment as co-deputy was unprecedented, as the position was typically filled by a career staffer. The role was split between two individuals for the first time, creating a unique dynamic.

Reports suggest that Bailey's relationship with Patel was strained from the beginning, with Patel allegedly excluding Bailey from meetings and referring to him as the director instead of co-deputy director. Bongino left the FBI in January, and currently, there is another co-deputy, Chris Raia, who was once the assistant director in charge of the bureau's New York City Field Office.

The FBI's resignation comes shortly after two agents overseeing counterterrorism at the Washington Field Office were demoted due to complaints from White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and his wife, Katie Miller. The Millers alleged that the FBI was not adequately investigating threats against them. Although the Millers did not explicitly request firings, FBI officials decided to reassign certain personnel.

NBC News first reported on Bailey's resignation, but the FBI has not yet provided a comment, nor has the White House responded to inquiries.