FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey is stepping down from his post after just over a year at the US law enforcement agency, saying he is leaving to return to his family in Missouri.Bailey, a Republican ally of President Donald Trump, announced his resignation on Monday after joining the FBI from his position as Missouri attorney general. He served under FBI Director Kash Patel and was involved in investigations related to the 2020 US election.Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Bailey thanked Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Patel for the opportunity to serve at the FBI.“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.He also expressed support for Patel, “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.”Bailey was part of the FBI leadership overseeing day-to-day law enforcement operations. During his tenure, he helped manage the Trump administration’s investigations into election-related issues and was present when FBI agents seized 2020 election ballots in Georgia earlier this year.The FBI has examined election records in several states but has not produced evidence supporting Trump’s claims that widespread voter fraud caused his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.Bailey’s departure comes about five weeks before the US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. The Trump administration has also stepped up federal investigations into voting by non-US citizens ahead of the elections.The FBI’s deputy director position has traditionally been held by career bureau officials and was considered a non-political role. Under Trump, political allies have been appointed to senior positions as the administration seeks to reshape the agency.Bailey initially served as co-deputy director alongside Dan Bongino, a former US Secret Service agent and conservative podcaster. Bongino left the FBI in January.He joined the FBI amid scrutiny of Patel’s leadership, including the bureau’s handling of investigative files involving late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which created political pressure for the Trump administration and tensions within the Justice Department.Bailey did not give a reason for his departure beyond his decision to return to his family.
