Story perspectives

Andrew Bailey Resigns as FBI Co-Deputy Director

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 2:19 AM UTC · How we work

Left

Patel and Bailey Conflict

FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation on Monday, September 28 2026, posting on X.
The resignation adds to a wave of FBI exits, heightening worries about agency stability, eroding trust, revealing internal friction between Director Kash Patel and Bailey.
Bailey had served as co-deputy director for just over a year, appointed in August 2025.
He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and Director Kash Patel in his X resignation post.

Right

Resignation Family Motive

FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation on Monday, September 28 2026.
His resignation was driven solely by a desire to return home to Missouri and care for his four young children, accusing news outlets of spreading lies about it.
He defended Director Kash Patel’s leadership against criticism.
The FBI added 55 agents to child-protection efforts and increased victim-service providers nationwide.

Center

Kehoe appoints Hanaway

FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation on Monday, September 28 2026, via a post on X.
Governor Mike Kehoe appointed former state legislator Catherine Hanaway to succeed Bailey as FBI co-deputy director, pending Senate confirmation.
Bailey served as Missouri attorney general before joining the FBI in September 2025 and was confirmed.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X praising Bailey’s contributions and confirming ongoing reforms today.

Blindspot

Governor Mike Kehoe appointed former state legislator Catherine Hanaway on the same day to succeed Andrew Bailey as FBI co-deputy director.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning and Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

When J. Edgar Hoover died in May 1972 after a 48-year tenure, President Nixon named L. Patrick Gray acting FBI director and the Senate launched confirmation hearings. In 1976 Congress limited directors to a single ten-year term to prevent similar power gaps. The 2026 resignation of co-deputy director Andrew Bailey and Governor Mike Kehoe’s appointment of Catherine Hanaway revive that oversight drive under Director Kash Patel.

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Patel and Bailey Conflict

FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced his resignation on Monday, September 28 2026, posting on X.
The resignation adds to a wave of FBI exits, heightening worries about agency stability, eroding trust, revealing internal friction between Director Kash Patel and Bailey.
Bailey had served as co-deputy director for just over a year, appointed in August 2025.
He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and Director Kash Patel in his X resignation post.

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