Epstein File Fallout: Bongino Exits, Seasoned Cop Raia Steps Up at FBI

Paul Riverbank, 1/10/2026FBI shakes up leadership: Bongino exits, seasoned field agent Raia steps up amid political scrutiny.

This appointment follows the somewhat abrupt exit of Dan Bongino, whose own career arc has zigzagged from NYPD to cable news and, more recently, into the upper echelons of federal policing. Bongino bid a cordial farewell in early January, his parting shot on X falling just short of an explanation. He praised President Trump, gave a nod to Director Kash Patel, and stopped there. Some insiders believe his exit had roots in friction with Attorney General Pam Bondi, especially over the highly sensitive Jeffrey Epstein documents. Bongino reportedly clashed with Justice Department higher-ups, making his departure less of a shock for those watching closely.

The tension behind the scenes was no secret. Following Bongino’s confirmation, whispers began circulating inside the FBI about leadership experience—or the lack of it. The FBI Agents’ Association, never shy with opinions, had pressed for a seasoned field agent to step up as deputy. They didn’t see their wish granted at first. Instead, Bongino’s name, championed by the Trump administration, got the nod. The agency, in the months that followed, faced a barrage of criticism for overlooking field credentials in favor of political loyalty.

With Raia’s promotion, the bureau seems to be circling back to an older playbook. Colleagues describe him as “relentless but grounded,” pointing to his campaigns against gang operations and sex trafficking along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens—a detail rarely lost on those he worked with. He also played a pivotal, somewhat behind-the-scenes role during his earlier stint in Washington, contributing to how the FBI responds to the nation’s most urgent security threats.

Timing, though, adds another layer to this leadership shuffle. Bongino’s planned exit broke just after federal agents made headlines arresting Brian Cole for pipe bomb threats at both the RNC and DNC headquarters. It’s a reminder that the ground beneath the agency is far from steady. Political scrutiny from Congress and city halls is intensifying, and internally, agents are keen to see whether the agency can restore some much-needed stability.

As Raia prepares to take his post in D.C., the mood among rank-and-file agents is cautious but quietly hopeful. There’s talk that his background—cracking down on organized crime, and his comfort in both the trenches and the C-suite—could help realign the bureau's often uneasy balance between politics and professional policing. The fact remains: with so many eyes watching—federal partners, city police, political appointees—every move counts.

On Monday, as Raia steps through the doors of FBI headquarters to assume his new responsibilities, there’s a sense that the agency is gambling on experience over showmanship. The challenges, no question, line up fast. But for now, at least, the bureau is betting that someone who’s walked its hallways for decades knows best how to navigate its latest maze of crises.

Christopher Raia, whose reputation precedes him in law enforcement circles, is about to settle into a fresh seat of power in Washington. Raia, until now the man running the FBI’s sprawling New York field office, will share the deputy director’s chair with Andrew Bailey, stepping into a leadership shuffle that caught many by surprise.This appointment follows the somewhat abrupt exit of Dan Bongino, whose own career arc has zigzagged from NYPD to cable news and, more recently, into the upper echelons of federal policing. Bongino bid a cordial farewell in early January, his parting shot on X falling just short of an explanation. He praised President Trump, gave a nod to Director Kash Patel, and stopped there. Some insiders believe his exit had roots in friction with Attorney General Pam Bondi, especially over the highly sensitive Jeffrey Epstein documents. Bongino reportedly clashed with Justice Department higher-ups, making his departure less of a shock for those watching closely.The tension behind the scenes was no secret. Following Bongino’s confirmation, whispers began circulating inside the FBI about leadership experience—or the lack of it. The FBI Agents’ Association, never shy with opinions, had pressed for a seasoned field agent to step up as deputy. They didn’t see their wish granted at first. Instead, Bongino’s name, championed by the Trump administration, got the nod. The agency, in the months that followed, faced a barrage of criticism for overlooking field credentials in favor of political loyalty.With Raia’s promotion, the bureau seems to be circling back to an older playbook. Colleagues describe him as “relentless but grounded,” pointing to his campaigns against gang operations and sex trafficking along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens—a detail rarely lost on those he worked with. He also played a pivotal, somewhat behind-the-scenes role during his earlier stint in Washington, contributing to how the FBI responds to the nation’s most urgent security threats.Timing, though, adds another layer to this leadership shuffle. Bongino’s planned exit broke just after federal agents made headlines arresting Brian Cole for pipe bomb threats at both the RNC and DNC headquarters. It’s a reminder that the ground beneath the agency is far from steady. Political scrutiny from Congress and city halls is intensifying, and internally, agents are keen to see whether the agency can restore some much-needed stability.As Raia prepares to take his post in D.C., the mood among rank-and-file agents is cautious but quietly hopeful. There’s talk that his background—cracking down on organized crime, and his comfort in both the trenches and the C-suite—could help realign the bureau's often uneasy balance between politics and professional policing. The fact remains: with so many eyes watching—federal partners, city police, political appointees—every move counts.On Monday, as Raia steps through the doors of FBI headquarters to assume his new responsibilities, there’s a sense that the agency is gambling on experience over showmanship. The challenges, no question, line up fast. But for now, at least, the bureau is betting that someone who’s walked its hallways for decades knows best how to navigate its latest maze of crises.