One of FBI Director Kash Patel’s top deputies is leaving the bureau after roughly a year on the job, marking another major leadership change at the FBI.
Andrew Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general who has served as one of the bureau’s co-deputy directors, announced Monday that he is stepping down and returning to Missouri to be with his family.
His final day at the FBI will be Friday, Oct. 2.
“With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri,” Bailey said.
Bailey joined the FBI in 2025 after leaving his position as Missouri attorney general.
He became part of an unusual leadership structure under Patel, serving alongside another co-deputy director as the bureau underwent sweeping organizational changes.
Bailey had been a vocal supporter of Patel’s efforts to reshape the FBI and redirect its priorities.
In announcing his departure, he praised Patel and said he remained confident in the director’s leadership.
“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 said.
Bailey also thanked President Donald Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Patel for giving him the opportunity to serve at the bureau.
His departure comes as the FBI continues to undergo major personnel and structural changes under Patel, who became director in February 2025.
Patel has repeatedly argued that the bureau should move away from what he has described as politicized enforcement and focus more heavily on traditional law enforcement priorities.
Those priorities have included violent crime, counterterrorism and national security threats.
Bailey became a visible figure in several federal law enforcement operations during his time at the FBI.
He frequently appeared alongside federal and state officials while promoting the bureau’s renewed focus on violent crime.
He was also involved in high-profile investigations and enforcement efforts as Patel’s leadership team sought to rebuild confidence in the bureau among conservatives who had become skeptical of the agency, per Trending Politics.
Bailey’s resignation now leaves another opening near the top of the FBI less than two years into Patel’s tenure.
The departure adds to a broader period of change inside the bureau as Patel continues implementing reforms and restructuring efforts.
Bailey said his decision was based on a desire to return home and spend more time with his family.
There was no indication in his public announcement that he had been pushed out or forced to resign.
Instead, Bailey framed the move as a personal decision while praising the work of the FBI during his tenure.
He also expressed confidence that Patel would continue pursuing changes inside the agency after his departure.
The FBI has faced intense political scrutiny in recent years over its leadership, internal culture and allegations of political bias.
Patel has made reforming the bureau a central part of his tenure.
Bailey’s exit comes during that broader overhaul and will require the FBI to fill another senior leadership role.
For now, Bailey is expected to remain in his position through the end of the week before returning to Missouri.
His resignation marks the latest high-profile change at an agency still in the middle of a significant transformation.
