Fox News personality Laura Ingraham delivered a farewell jab directed at Dan Bongino, the FBI Deputy Director, following his announcement of departure next month. Ingraham, aged 62, briefly mentioned this development while summarizing the day’s key events on Wednesday’s episode of The Ingraham Angle. Bongino, 51, who previously hosted on Fox News, transitioned to the FBI role in February. “The first significant exit from the administration was revealed late today: Dan Bongino, after just nine months as FBI Deputy Director, is stepping down,” Ingraham cheerfully noted about her former colleague.

She paused before continuing, “This isn’t unexpected. He cherished his prosperous media career and is eager to return.” Former President Donald Trump echoed a similar sentiment regarding Bongino on Wednesday, prior to the formal announcement. “Dan did an excellent job, but I believe he’s keen to return to his show,” Trump conveyed to reporters shortly before Bongino confirmed his decision on X. In his post, Bongino expressed gratitude to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the “chance to serve with purpose.”

Bongino has not yet disclosed his intentions post-departure, which he mentioned will occur in January. Once a prominent conservative voice on Fox News, Bongino was personally selected for his FBI role by Trump. Both Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel, who also received a Trump appointment, have been scrutinized for their management of the classified documents known as the Epstein Files. Over the summer, the Department of Justice declined to release further information related to the convicted sex offender.

Bongino relentlessly campaigned for the files’ release during his time at Fox News. He continued to do so after leaving the network in early 2023, on his popular podcast. Former Politico reporter Rachael Bade reported last week that Bongino still maintains this stance. Bongino was at odds with other administration officials for those beliefs, Bade reported. Members of Trump’s ‘inner circle’ told her that Bongino ‘could be out any day.’

Bongino – a former New York police officer and US Secret Service agent – was mulling leaving the bureau back in July, CBS News reported. Sources told the network at the time that Bongino attended a White House meeting in with Attorney General Bondi and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles after the DOJ’s decision in July was met with fierce fallout. The summit resulted in a confrontation between Bongino and Bondi, CBS reported. Within weeks, Trump appointed Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to the role of ‘co-deputy’ director.

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