A former FBI agent has warned that the bureau could face serious operational instability if Deputy Director Dan Bongino steps down, following escalating tensions within the Trump administration over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files.
Speaking with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, former FBI agent Michael Feinberg emphasized the crucial role Bongino plays behind the scenes.
“The director may be the public face of the FBI, but day-to-day operations fall squarely on the deputy,” Feinberg explained. “If Dan Bongino is going to throw a tantrum anytime DOJ leadership pushes him in a direction he doesn’t like, then the FBI could be heading into a period of real dysfunction.”
Feinberg’s comments come amid reports that Bongino threatened to resign after a heated clash with Attorney General Pam Bondi. The dispute stemmed from accusations that Bongino leaked to the press claims that the FBI was prepared to release Epstein-related documents, but was being blocked by senior Trump officials.
When asked what the rift between DOJ and FBI leadership could mean for the bureau’s performance, Feinberg didn’t mince words.
“It undermines confidence across the entire agency. Sure, there have always been disagreements between the Hoover Building and ‘Main Justice,’ especially on high-profile or politically sensitive cases,” he said. “But until now, those debates were handled by adults acting in good faith. What we’re seeing now is a destructive power struggle over what most would view as an unsubstantiated conspiracy.”
Despite the turmoil, Bongino was reportedly back at work Tuesday and has not formally submitted his resignation. However, insiders say the friction has created deep concern within the FBI ranks.
“The whole thing is a mess—nobody’s happy,” a source familiar with the situation told CNN.
The controversy over the Epstein files continues to cast a shadow over senior Trump administration officials, raising questions about transparency, internal power struggles, and the potential fallout from further resignations.
