Kash Patel's FBI loses another top official
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FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey addresses the media on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Photo: David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Getty Images.
Andrew Bailey, deputy director of the FBI, is leaving his post after just over a year of service, Bailey and Director Kash Patel confirmed Monday.
Why it matters: Bailey's resignation adds to turnover under Patel, as top aides and experienced security officials have left the agency.
What they're saying: "With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri," Bailey wrote on X Monday.
- "I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, ensure strong organizational accountability, and restore public trust in this institution of excellence."
- Replying to Bailey's post, Patel said he was thankful for his service and that his "fantastic contribution[s] instituting critical reforms which resulted in our historic success will live on. Andrew's leadership at the FBI will be missed but we are grateful he answered the call to serve!"
- When initially reached for comment, the FBI directed Axios to Bailey's Monday morning X post.
Zoom in: Bailey, Missouri's former attorney general, oversaw some of the FBI's election security efforts, making his departure a little more than a month before the midterms particularly notable.
- Bailey was also in charge of the FBI's raid on the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Georgia in January, where agents seized ballots and other documents related to the 2020 election, according to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Yes, but: A senior administration official familiar with Bailey's departure told Axios' Marc Caputo that Bailey didn't have much of a portfolio on election security or otherwise.
- "The short answer is no: Bailey wasn't doing anything," the official said. "He did nothing on voter fraud, nothing on election integrity. He quit because he had nothing to do."
The other side: When Axios contacted the FBI for comment on the official's remarks, a spokesperson rejected the criticism.
- "This is false," the spokesperson said. "Co-Deputy Director Bailey's portfolio included election integrity, on which the FBI has been doing a lot, as well as partner engagement – again, where FBI has had a heavy presence."
Catch up quick: Bailey was first tapped to serve as co-deputy director alongside Dan Bongino last August, an uncommon dual-leadership arrangement.
- Many FBI agents believed Bondi brought Bailey in as a potential successor if President Trump soured on Patel, the New York Times reports.
- Bondi left her post as attorney general in April. Bongino announced last December that he was leaving the FBI to return to podcasting.
- After Bongino departed, Christopher Raia, the former head of the FBI's New York field office, was tapped to serve as co-deputy director alongside Bailey.
Go deeper: Patel defends FBI hiring changes involving bestiality, prostitution
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
Marc Caputo contributed reporting.
