Bongino May Resign After Epstein Scandal Shakes White House and Put Shock Detail About Pam Bondi

The political ground inside the Trump administration is shaking once again, and this time, it’s erupting over the murky, still-unfolding scandal surrounding the handling—or mishandling—of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

At the center of the storm is Dan Bongino, the high-profile Deputy Director of the FBI and a trusted figure among Trump’s America First base, who is now reportedly contemplating a stunning resignation after an explosive confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The internal chaos, confirmed by multiple sources close to the administration, reveals a deep and bitter split between two key arms of government: the FBI and the Department of Justice.

The drama came to a head on Wednesday during a closed-door meeting at the White House, where Bondi, Bongino, FBI Director Kash Patel, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were brought together to address the intensifying public outrage over the Epstein case.

The meeting, described by insiders as “combustible,” was reportedly prompted by revelations that the long-promised Epstein client list—believed to contain names of global elites involved in Epstein’s sex trafficking network—“does not exist,” according to the Department of Justice’s official memo.

That memo, which also reaffirmed that Epstein died by suicide in jail, sent shockwaves across conservative media and Trump’s support base. The announcement was particularly jarring given that Bondi had publicly stated in February that the Epstein files were “sitting on her desk,” and even distributed binders of documents to pro-Trump influencers and journalists at a White House event.

Those files, however, were later revealed to contain only previously released material—an embarrassing revelation that has ignited a firestorm of criticism, even from the president’s inner circle.

As pressure mounted, suspicions of internal finger-pointing began to surface. Axios and CNN both reported that during the Wednesday meeting, Bondi directly questioned whether Bongino or Patel had been responsible for leaks to the media suggesting the FBI wanted to release more information but was blocked by the DOJ.

Bongino, according to sources present, firmly denied any involvement but refused to sign a joint statement defending the DOJ’s decision. That refusal has since become a major flashpoint.

By Friday, Bongino was nowhere to be found.

According to insiders, the deputy director didn’t show up for work and has gone radio silent, prompting whispers that his departure may be imminent. “He ain’t coming back,” said one source close to Bongino.

While the administration insists Bongino remains in his position, others inside the White House say he has mentally checked out—if not physically already removed from the role.

The potential resignation of Bongino would be a stunning blow to an administration already struggling to maintain cohesion over the Epstein controversy.

Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, political commentator, and staunch supporter of Trump, has long been viewed as one of the few figures capable of navigating both the political and operational challenges within the FBI.

His departure would not only represent the collapse of a key internal alliance but also signal a broader breakdown in the administration’s attempt to contain the damage from the Epstein scandal.

Sources familiar with the situation describe the White House as “a house divided,” with one camp furious at Bondi for overpromising and underdelivering on the Epstein files, and another camp scrambling to protect her reputation and contain public fallout.

“The whole thing has been a complete mess and no one is happy,” one official told CNN. That sentiment is echoed by multiple advisers to the president, many of whom now privately admit the Epstein debacle has created a major credibility crisis.

The sharpest criticisms have come not from the mainstream media, but from within the MAGA movement itself. Popular conservative influencers who were given the so-called “Phase One” Epstein files feel betrayed after discovering the contents were mostly recycled public records.

Online forums and Trump-supporting message boards have erupted with accusations that the administration is either incompetent—or worse, complicit in a cover-up.

It’s a narrative that has proven difficult to rebut, and the backlash has only intensified since the DOJ released its memo denying the existence of any client list.

For Bongino, this public relations nightmare appears to have crossed a personal line. “Dan was for releasing the information with the video and had no problem until he got heat online,” one official told Axios.

The source went on to say that Bongino discovered a key surveillance video from Epstein’s jail cell—one that reportedly had a missing minute—and initially vouched for it, believing it would resolve the controversy. When it didn’t, and criticism persisted, “he lost his mind and ran out of D.C.”

Another source who appears sympathetic to Bongino said, “Dan is not the bad guy here. He shouldn’t take the fall.” That source hinted that the deputy director had grown increasingly frustrated with the administration’s chaotic handling of the Epstein case, particularly with Bondi’s theatrical but ultimately fruitless delivery of the binders.

“That stunt back in February should’ve never happened. Dan warned about rushing out materials without vetting what was inside. Nobody listened.”

Complicating matters is the fact that while Trump himself has reportedly remained supportive of Bondi—privately calling her “great” and expressing affection for her loyalty—he is also said to be fuming over the political fallout from the debacle.

Several insiders have stated that Trump’s patience is wearing thin and that he has ordered a full internal review to determine how expectations surrounding the Epstein files got so out of control.

Behind closed doors, the feud has widened into a full-blown turf war between the DOJ and the FBI. Multiple sources told CNN that there’s been long-standing tension between the two agencies over how to handle sensitive information tied to Epstein.

The FBI, particularly under Bongino’s leadership, has reportedly been more aggressive about transparency—wanting to release select information to restore public trust—while the DOJ has taken a more guarded, legalistic approach, arguing that releasing names without proper legal context could compromise investigations or spark international diplomatic incidents.

One senior law enforcement official said, “This isn’t just about a list. This is about a pattern of secrecy and damage control that’s tearing the administration apart from the inside. The public wants answers, and right now, they’re getting none.”

Despite the internal chaos, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to downplay the situation, insisting in a statement late Friday that “the administration continues to support full transparency on all legal matters concerning the Epstein investigation.” When asked about Bongino’s absence, she added, “Deputy Director Bongino is currently on scheduled leave. No resignation has been submitted.”

But sources inside the FBI say otherwise. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bongino has “all but cleaned out his desk” and is “seriously considering a press conference” to clarify his stance and distance himself from the administration’s narrative.

Such a move would send shockwaves through Washington and further fracture the already fragile trust between Trump loyalists and federal agencies.

The Epstein case, once considered politically dormant following the financier’s death in custody, has once again re-emerged as a symbol of elite impunity and institutional rot.

Bongino’s potential exit, along with the administration’s bungled communication, has ensured that the scandal remains front and center in the national conversation.

Whether Dan Bongino ultimately resigns, returns to his position, or becomes a public critic of the administration he once fiercely defended, one thing is clear: the Epstein files have not only exposed cracks in the justice system—they’ve also ignited a civil war within Trump’s own ranks.

As one insider put it bluntly, “This is not just about Epstein anymore. This is about who’s really in charge—and who’s willing to take the fall when the truth never comes out.”