FBI Deputy Chief Mulls Resignation Over Epstein Memo Fallout; Trump Slams Media’s Epstein ‘Fixation’

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is weighing the possibility of resigning due to frustrations over how the Justice Department has handled the Epstein files, a source told Fox News Digital. According to the source, Bongino took Friday off to cool down and reflect.

A source confirmed that Bongino has not shown up at FBI headquarters since Wednesday and has yet to finalize a decision about whether to remain in his post.

This latest development follows a contentious exchange between Bongino and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, which took place Wednesday at the White House, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have maintained close communication throughout the week and are aligned in their approach, another source told Fox News Digital.

Those close to Bondi tell the news outlet that she is standing firm, has no plans to resign, and remains confident in the work being done at the Department of Justice. Similarly, a source with direct contact with Patel says he is content in his role and not considering a departure.

“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,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields said. “Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also denied reports of internal conflict earlier Friday.

“I worked closely with @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files,” Blanche wrote on X. “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.”

On Sunday, the DOJ and FBI released a joint report that dismissed long-standing rumors about a so-called Epstein client list. The agencies said no such list existed linking prominent individuals to Epstein’s predatory crimes.

The review also reaffirmed the DOJ’s conclusion that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while held in federal custody on human trafficking charges in New York.

The report was released just days after President Trump made a blunt remark during a cabinet meeting when a reporter attempted to raise the Epstein issue with Bondi.

“Can I just interrupt for one second?” Trump said. “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?”

“This guy’s been talked about for years. You’re asking…. We have Texas, we have this, we have all of the things. And are people are still talking about this guy, this creep?” the president continued. “That is unbelievable.”

Public backlash intensified following the release of surveillance footage from Epstein’s jail cell. While the 10-hour video was meant to demonstrate no one entered Epstein’s cell before his death, one minute is inexplicably missing — a detail that has reignited public suspicion of a potential cover-up.

“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,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “The continued fixation on sowing division in President Trump’s Cabinet is baseless and unfounded in reality.”