Andrew Bailey walked away from his job as FBI deputy director on Monday. He served for just over a year before heading back to Missouri. The former state attorney general posted his news on X early in the morning. He thanked President Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel for the chance to serve. Bailey said he wanted to spend more time with his family. This move ends a unique leadership setup at the bureau. He had shared the second-highest spot with another official.
Bailey wrote that he is leaving with “great pride in what we have accomplished.He declared plainly that he is leaving to go back to my family in Missouri. The Washington Examiner was informed by a source close to the matter that being far from home posed a genuine problem.
The New York Post reported that Bailey struggled to settle in while being far from his family. FBI Director Kash Patel released a statement to mark the departure. Regarding dedicated service, Patel noted, “I want to thank Andrew Bailey for his. The director added that Bailey’s “fantastic contribution instituting critical reforms” would remain. Patel also noted, “Andrew’s leadership at the FBI will be missed.”
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
Bailey started his job in August 2025 under the Trump administration. He worked alongside Dan Bongino before Bongino left in January. Christopher Raia then took over the other half of the deputy role. Bailey led the probe into election integrity during his short time there. St. Louis also saw him oversee a crackdown on violent crime.
That operation led to more than 90 arrests and seized $310,000 in ill-gotten gains. Some reports claimed his exit linked to recent demotions of counterterrorism staff. A source told the Washington Examiner that story was “complete bulls*.” The source insisted the move was purely about family time.
The bureau now faces the task of filling the vacancy. Bailey expressed confidence that Director Patel will continue to reform the agency. He said Patel will “combat violent crime” and “restore public trust in this institution of excellence.” The Washington Examiner noted this is another shift in the bureau’s unusual two-deputy structure.
Patel has faced questions from Democrats about his recent travel and hiring choices. Bailey’s departure does not change the ongoing investigations he helped lead. The FBI will continue its work under Patel’s full direction. No new deputy has been named as of Monday afternoon.
