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FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was back at work on Monday after a clash with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case left him mulling resignation last week, as The Post previously reported.
Multiple sources told CNN that Bongino, 50, did come into the office after taking a personal day Friday, but his future with the bureau remains uncertain after the heated exchange with the head of President Trump’s Justice Department.
At issue is a memo issued by the FBI and DOJ last week that summarized a review of the case against Epstein, who died in his Manhattan jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019.
“This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’ There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions,” read the unsigned FBI and DOJ memo. “We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
The memo also included a link to surveillance video from the Manhattan prison where Epstein died. Officials – including Bongino himself – have said the video proves no one entered the convicted pedophile’s cell the night he committed suicide.
The handling of the Epstein files has created a rift within Trump’s MAGA base, with some backing Bongino over the belief that he would resign in protest over a purported lack of transparency in the case.
Before joining the Trump administration, Bongino had long speculated there was more to the Epstein file than officials were letting on.
Some MAGA boosters have demanded that Bondi – who suggested in a February Fox News interview that Epstein’s client list was on her desk “to be reviewed” – should be the one pushed out of the administration.
Trump himself has signaled that cooler heads should prevail.
“What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!” the president wrote on Truth Social Saturday.
“LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB – SHE’S GREAT!” he continued.
On Sunday, Trump told reporters that he had spoken to Bongino and believes he will remain at the bureau.
“I think so. I spoke to him today,” the president said. “Dan Bongino is a very good guy. I’ve known him a long time. I’ve done his show many, many times. And he sounded terrific, actually, no, I think he’s in good shape.”
The FBI did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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