Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is reportedly considering resigning amid escalating tensions between the FBI and the Justice Department over the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein memo, sources told CNN.
The internal clash intensified after a heated meeting this week with Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. At issue was a story suggesting the FBI had pushed for more disclosures but was blocked by the DOJ. Bongino denied leaking that information to NewsNation, though he did not publicly defend the DOJ’s stance in the article.
CNN reached out to Bongino and the FBI for comment. Sources noted Bongino hasn’t made a final decision, though his absence from work Friday fueled speculation. One source confirmed he remained in his position as of Friday afternoon. Axios first reported the White House confrontation
Frustration among Trump advisers—inside and outside the White House—has mounted over Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files. Her February event presenting old Epstein documents to MAGA influencers also drew backlash.
The Justice Department memo released Monday stated there was no client list and no evidence Epstein was murdered, angering many Trump supporters who expected bombshell revelations.
Bongino’s frustration partly stems from a 10-hour surveillance video outside Epstein’s cell the day he died. He initially believed it proved Epstein wasn’t murdered, but scrutiny surged when observers noted a 60-second gap. Bondi claimed the system resets at midnight, skipping the same minute nightly—but online theories exploded regardless.
Patel and Bongino have long been frustrated with DOJ management of the case, dating back to Bondi’s early suggestion that the FBI was still reviewing files that had already been transferred to the DOJ.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche denied any rift, calling rumors of FBI-DOJ disagreement “patently false.” The White House also emphasized its unity and focus on justice, dismissing reports of internal division.