Here’s who will be replacing Bongino.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is undergoing another leadership transition as Christopher Raia, the current head of the FBI’s New York Field Office, prepares to step into the role of deputy director, according to an FBI spokesperson.
Raia, a career FBI official with more than two decades of experience, was asked to assume the bureau’s second-highest position and agreed to take on the responsibility. He is scheduled to report to Washington, D.C., on Monday to officially begin his new role.
As deputy director, Raia will help manage the FBI’s day-to-day operations and oversee a workforce of more than 30,000 employees nationwide. He will work closely with FBI Director Kash Patel and Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey as part of the bureau’s senior leadership team.
Raia’s appointment means the FBI’s three-person leadership structure will remain in place. That arrangement was introduced last year during a period of internal restructuring and heightened scrutiny surrounding how the bureau handled several high-profile investigations.
A veteran agent, Raia joined the FBI in 2003 and has spent much of his career focused on national security and counterterrorism. Before leading the New York Field Office, he served in senior roles overseeing counterterrorism operations at the national level.
It is not yet clear who will replace Raia as head of the FBI’s New York Field Office. His predecessor, James Dennehy, was forced to retire earlier this year amid broader leadership changes implemented during President Trump’s second term.
Raia replaces Dan Bongino, who announced in December that he would step down from his position in January after less than a year as deputy director. In a public statement at the time, Bongino thanked President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve, calling his time at the bureau an honor.
Following Bongino’s announcement, President Trump praised his performance, telling reporters that Bongino “did a great job” and suggesting he may return to media and broadcasting.