The Justice Department reportedly announced Monday that Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will join the Trump administration as co-deputy director of the FBI, a newly-created role that further reshapes bureau leadership under President Donald Trump.
Bailey, who formally stepped down as Missouri’s attorney general on September 8, will serve alongside current Deputy Director Dan Bongino and under FBI Director Kash Patel.
The decision comes as the bureau continues to undergo major structural changes, with the Trump administration signaling a more assertive direction.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the appointment in a statement, saying: “I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI.
He has served as a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service.
His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission. While we know this is undoubtedly a great loss for Missouri, it is a tremendous gain for America.”
Bailey’s record as attorney general reflected a combative stance toward the Biden administration and progressive institutions. He sued major corporations including International Business Machines (IBM) and Starbucks over their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, initiatives that critics have argued promote discrimination rather than fairness.
He also investigated the Pediatric Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and pursued legal action against Planned Parenthood for its promotion of the abortion drug mifepristone.
In addition, Bailey challenged the White House on federal programs ranging from student loan forgiveness to immigration. He joined lawsuits to block former President Biden’s plan to cancel student loan debt and sued the Department of Homeland Security to obtain information on whether illegal immigrants were being relocated to Missouri. These cases made him a leading figure in the broader conservative pushback against progressive social and economic policies.
Bongino, who has reportedly clashed with Bondi over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, publicly welcomed Bailey to the FBI in a social media post.
Despite earlier reports of tension between the two, President Trump expressed confidence in his team, saying that Bongino was in “good shape” and affirming his complete faith in Bondi.
Bailey’s appointment is expected to reinforce the administration’s emphasis on aligning law enforcement priorities with its broader agenda, including a more aggressive approach to federal oversight and investigations.
Unlike other senior posts, the position does not require Senate confirmation, allowing Bailey to step into the role immediately.
Missouri Republican Governor Mike Kehoe will appoint Bailey’s successor in the coming weeks, marking the end of a tenure that was defined by frequent legal battles with the former Biden administration and progressive advocacy groups.
For Trump allies, Bailey’s move from state office to the FBI is a natural extension of his career. His military service, record of legal challenges against left-leaning policies, and reputation as a determined culture-war litigator fit squarely with the administration’s effort to reshape federal institutions around its priorities.
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