Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to leave his position in January. The announcement has sparked immediate speculation among critics that his departure is connected to a court-ordered deadline for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Timing Sparks Speculation
Bongino took to the social media platform X to confirm his plans after days of mounting reports about his uncertain future at the agency. The timing is notable, as the DOJ is legally required to release a trove of Epstein-related files by Friday, December 19, 2025. According to the news outlet MS NOW, Bongino had "tentatively planned" to announce his exit on that very same day.
Before his controversial appointment to the FBI, Bongino built a significant following through a podcasting career where he frequently promoted conspiracy theories, including many tied to the Epstein scandal. His transition to the federal law enforcement agency was rocky; he told Fox News in May that he "gave up everything for this" job and indicated he was unhappy.
Internal Conflicts and an Unusual Appointment
Bongino's tenure was reportedly on shaky ground as early as August 2025, following a clash with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files. In an unusual administrative move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was brought in to serve as co-deputy director alongside Bongino, a signal of internal tensions.
The impending document release has become a focal point for online commentators. Critics on social media platforms like Bluesky have been quick to connect the dots, suggesting Bongino may be departing to avoid "the fallout" from the files becoming public.
Social Media Weighs In
The reaction online has been swift and pointed, with many users highlighting the irony and controversy surrounding his short stint.
Observers noted:
- One user pointed out that Bongino's planned departure date coincides not only with the DOJ deadline but also with the close approach of an interstellar comet, wryly calling one a coincidence and the other "not coincidence."
- Another highlighted that Bongino's podcast brand was built on Epstein conspiracies, but he "went mighty silent" when the narrative shifted to focus on the Trump administration's role in suppressing the files.
- Several comments mocked his qualifications and tenure, with one noting he "served 27 Scaramuccis," a reference to the famously brief tenure of former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.
- Others speculated his return to the more lucrative world of partisan media, with one quipping he was leaving "to spend more time with his loved ones—conspiracy theorists and QAnon nutters."
Bongino's exit, set for January, closes a brief and tumultuous chapter at the top of the FBI, leaving questions about the lasting impact of the soon-to-be-released Epstein documents on the political and media landscape.
