Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is considering resigning after a heated confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Bongino, described by colleagues as “absolutely livid,” took a day off from work on Friday and has not been seen at FBI headquarters since Wednesday, fueling speculation about his future.
Confrontation at the White House
The situation escalated during a tense White House meeting on Wednesday attended by Bongino, Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Sources say the confrontation centered on a NewsNation article that claimed Bongino and Patel wanted to release more information about the Epstein case but were blocked by the Justice Department. Bongino denied leaking to the media but did not sign a statement defending the DOJ’s review process.
“The meeting became quite intense,” one individual briefed on the proceedings said. Another source added, “Bongino is absolutely livid. This has effectively ruined his career. He is threatening to resign and retaliate against Pam unless she is dismissed.”
Fallout From the DOJ and FBI Memo
The infighting follows the DOJ and FBI’s release of a joint memo earlier this week, which concluded there would be no further public disclosures in the Epstein case. The memo stated there was no “client list” of high-profile individuals and reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019. The administration also released 10 hours of surveillance footage from outside Epstein’s cell to counter conspiracy theories, but a one-minute gap in the video has only fueled further suspicion and public outrage.
Bongino, a trusted lieutenant of FBI Director Kash Patel, has faced criticism for approving the release of the footage without flagging the missing minute, which many believe raises more questions than it answers.
Bondi and Patel Present a United Front
Despite the turmoil, sources close to Bondi say she has no intention of stepping down and remains proud of the department’s work. FBI Director Kash Patel has also indicated he is content in his role and has no plans to leave. “President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims. This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity,” said White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also addressed rumors of discord, stating, “I worked closely with @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files. All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
Trump Administration Responds to Public Outcry
The Trump administration has faced mounting pressure from the public and MAGA supporters over the Epstein investigation’s outcome and the lack of new disclosures. President Trump himself dismissed continued questions about Epstein during a cabinet meeting, saying, “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? … We have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things. And are people are still talking about this guy, this creep? That is unbelievable.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “President Trump is proud of Attorney General Bondi’s efforts to execute his Make America Safe Again agenda, restore the integrity of the Department of Justice, and bring justice to victims of crime. The continued fixation on sowing division in President Trump’s Cabinet is baseless and unfounded in reality.”
Bongino’s Future Remains Uncertain
As of Friday, Bongino had not made a final decision about his future with the FBI, but sources caution that the fallout from the Epstein files and the internal DOJ dispute has left his position in doubt. The episode underscores the deep divisions and intense scrutiny facing the Trump administration as it seeks to move past one of the most controversial cases in recent memory.
