Former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is leaving his position as deputy director of the FBI in Washington, D.C., announcing Monday that he will return to Missouri and his family.

Bailey announced his departure in a post on X, thanking Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel for their leadership during his time in the federal government.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we have delivered historic results in our mission to Make America Safe Again,” Bailey said.

“With great pride in what we have accomplished, I am announcing that I am stepping down to return to my family in Missouri,” he continued.

Bailey said he remains confident that Patel will continue efforts to reform the FBI, combat violent crime, defend the homeland, strengthen organizational accountability and restore public trust in the bureau.

His resignation is set to take effect Oct. 2, bringing his roughly yearlong tenure in the FBI’s senior leadership to an end.

Bailey became a co-deputy director of the FBI in August 2025, initially serving alongside Dan Bongino. After Bongino left the position in January, Christopher Raia took over as co-deputy director alongside Bailey.

The FBI has undergone significant changes under Patel and the Trump administration, with Bailey serving in senior leadership as the bureau shifted its priorities toward combating violent crime, strengthening homeland security and restructuring the agency.

Before moving to Washington, Bailey served as Missouri's attorney general. He was appointed to the position by then-Gov. Mike Parson in 2022 after serving as Parson's general counsel.

Bailey won election to a full term as attorney general in 2024 but left the position less than a year later to join the FBI.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe appointed Catherine Hanaway to succeed Bailey as attorney general following his departure for Washington.

Bailey is a native of Hermann, Missouri. He is married and has four children.

His departure comes as the FBI continues to undergo a major leadership and personnel transition under Patel. Bailey's decision to leave means the bureau will once again have to adjust its senior leadership structure after the departures of several high-ranking officials since the Trump administration took office.

Bailey said his decision was driven by his desire to return to his family in Missouri while expressing confidence in Patel and the direction of the FBI.