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Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is reportedly considering resigning after a heated internal confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles over the Justice Department’s refusal to release additional documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter, including one who has spoken directly with Bongino, say the longtime Trump ally is furious about how the Justice Department has handled the politically sensitive files, with one describing his mood as “out of control furious.“
“This destroyed his career,” the source said. “He’s threatening to quit and torch Pam unless she’s fired.”
Bongino was absent from FBI headquarters on Friday, fueling speculation that he may be preparing to step down or publicly criticize DOJ leadership.
Confrontation in the West Wing
The tension came to a head during a Wednesday meeting at the White House between Bongino, FBI Director Kash Patel, Bondi, and Wiles, according to sources briefed on the discussion.
The meeting reportedly focused on a news article suggesting dissatisfaction within FBI leadership over Bondi’s decision to not release further Epstein documents, which DOJ claims do not contain any incriminating information.
“The meeting got pretty heated,” one insider said, noting that until recently, Patel and Bongino had been aligned with Bondi’s handling of the case.
But according to DOJ insiders, Bongino’s frustration has been growing for months over more than just the Epstein issue. He and Patel, both known for being outspoken in conservative media and social platforms, have reportedly voiced displeasure with Bondi’s decisions on multiple fronts.
Epstein Files Fuel Political Firestorm
The Department of Justice earlier this week released a statement denying the existence of a so-called ‘Epstein client list’, declaring there was no credible evidence of blackmail or other criminal activity among prominent individuals not already charged.
That position has infuriated many Trump supporters, especially online influencers and right-wing commentators — including Bongino himself — who have long amplified conspiracy theories around Epstein’s connections to powerful elites.
Bondi herself stirred speculation last month by claiming on Fox News that she had an “Epstein client list” on her desk — a remark later clarified as referring to the broader case files.
“Every court to have looked at this cruel order agrees that it is unconstitutional,” said Cody Wofsy of the ACLU, who is leading a separate legal challenge to Trump’s recent birthright citizenship restrictions. [Contextual reference to illustrate tension around Trump-era DOJ decisions.]
White House and DOJ Push Back
In a statement to NBC News, White House spokesman Harrison Fields denied any dysfunction, saying:
“President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team… Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made.”
Later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced support for Bondi:
“President Trump is proud of Attorney General Bondi’s efforts… The continued fixation on sowing division in President Trump’s Cabinet is baseless and unfounded in reality.”
Still, DOJ sources concede that the political fallout was anticipated. The FBI and DOJ jointly signed off on a memo summarizing their investigation’s findings, but Bongino’s silence since then — and absence from work — have raised red flags.
Blanche and Bondi Double Down
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attempted to quash rumors of discord by posting on X Friday morning:
“I worked closely with @FBIDirectorKash and @FBIDDBongino on the joint FBI and DOJ memo regarding the Epstein Files… The suggestion that there was daylight between FBI and DOJ leadership is patently false.”
But internally, DOJ officials remain uncertain whether Bongino will stay on, resign quietly, or go public with criticism.
“They thought they had unity on this,” said one source close to DOJ leadership. “Now that looks doubtful.”
What’s Next?
While President Trump reportedly retains confidence in all involved, insiders caution that Bongino’s next move could be explosive, especially given his large media following and history of combative rhetoric.
If he resigns and goes public, it could reignite political pressure on Bondi and DOJ from Trump’s base, reopen questions about transparency, and intensify the administration’s internal struggles over high-profile investigations.
For now, the future of one of the nation’s top law enforcement officials hangs in the balance — as does the delicate credibility of a Justice Department caught between legal conclusions and political pressure.
