The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reportedly in a state of internal crisis following mounting public backlash over the Department of Justice’s recent report concluding that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide and acted alone in his crimes.
The DOJ released the controversial findings last Sunday, sparking outrage among voters and media figures—particularly within the MAGA-aligned base of President Donald Trump, who has distanced himself from the report’s conclusions.
On Friday, reports surfaced that FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino failed to appear for work following a heated exchange on Wednesday with Attorney General Pam Bondi, who heads the DOJ. Sources claim Bongino stormed out of a senior-level meeting after clashing with Bondi over the report’s conclusions.
Before joining the FBI, Bongino rose to national prominence as a conservative commentator and podcaster, known for his vocal skepticism about Epstein’s death. While he had previously asserted that Epstein was likely murdered and tied to foreign intelligence services, Bongino made a notable pivot in May, publicly stating that Epstein died by suicide—a reversal that has since drawn intense criticism.
Adding to the upheaval, The Daily Wire, a media outlet aligned with the Trump administration, reported late Friday that FBI Director Kash Patel is also considering stepping down if Bongino resigns.
Despite these reports, the Trump White House has downplayed the developments. White House spokesperson Harrison Fields dismissed the rumors, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “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.”
However, continued criticism from Trump-aligned influencers and media personalities has widened internal fractures within the MAGA movement, already strained by recent foreign policy controversies. Some fear that the Epstein issue could further damage the administration’s credibility with its base.
In February, Attorney General Bondi had claimed to possess the so-called “client list” of individuals connected to Epstein’s crimes, only to later assert that no such list exists—fueling further mistrust and speculation.
With the political fallout escalating, it remains unclear whether the administration can contain the damage or whether more high-level resignations are imminent.