FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was absent from work Friday following a heated confrontation at the White House with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to four sources familiar with the situation.
The dispute erupted earlier in the week after the administration reversed previous claims about Epstein, concluding that there was no celebrity “client list” and that Epstein was not murdered in his prison cell in 2019. Bongino’s absence on Friday led to speculation among insiders that he had resigned. However, administration officials insisted he remained in his position, even as tensions over the matter persisted. A source close to Bongino claimed he had no intention of returning.
Central to the disagreement was a 10-hour surveillance video from outside Epstein’s cell, which the administration released as evidence that no one entered the room prior to his death. The video contained what’s become known as a “missing minute,” which has fueled conspiracy theories among Trump supporters online. Authorities explained the gap as a routine reset from an outdated surveillance system that causes a one-minute recording lapse each day at midnight.
Before joining the FBI, Bongino had promoted Epstein conspiracy theories as a podcast host popular among MAGA audiences. He publicly and privately endorsed the video as proof that Epstein died by suicide. His conclusion, echoed by FBI Director Kash Patel, clashed with the expectations of many Trump supporters, especially after reports emerged confirming there was no client list and revealing the video’s missing footage.
Following the backlash, Bongino became a scapegoat for the situation, according to three sources. Two people familiar with his stance said Bongino had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi, believing she had overpromised transparency regarding the Epstein case.
The rift came to a head Wednesday during a White House meeting attended by Bongino, Bondi, Patel, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich. At the meeting, Bongino was questioned about a NewsNation article suggesting he and Patel had pushed for earlier disclosure of Epstein-related materials but were blocked. He denied leaking that narrative. The meeting reportedly ended on tense terms, with Bongino leaving visibly angry.
A senior official defended Bondi, noting that while she faced internal criticism, President Trump remained supportive of her. Others close to Bongino argued he should not be blamed for the fallout. One official said Bongino had endorsed the video after a thorough review and had expected it to put the controversy to rest. When the backlash intensified online, he lost patience and left Washington.
The broader conflict underscores how deeply the Epstein case has rattled the Trump administration. Bondi, Bongino, and Patel have each privately voiced frustration over being blamed for the situation.
Bongino, a former Secret Service agent, joined the administration after building a large following as a conservative commentator. On Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted online to affirm that there was unity among leadership when approving the DOJ and FBI memo regarding Epstein. He dismissed any suggestion of division as “patently false.”
