Andrew Bailey Returns Home After Leaving the FBI

Andrew Bailey, the outgoing co-deputy director of the FBI, is heading back to Missouri, and he has a straightforward message for anyone suggesting that issues within the bureau drove his departure. He emphasized, “This was 100% about my need to get home and raise my four small children.” His dedication to his family is clear; he stated, “I love my kids.”

Bailey, who announced his exit from the FBI after just over a year on Monday, dismissed any insinuation that internal problems influenced his decision. He made it clear that his choice was purely about being a parent to his children.

In the interview, Bailey expressed frustration with some media outlets he claimed were spreading “lies” about his reasons for leaving. He also defended FBI Director Kash Patel amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding the bureau’s leadership.

“Any accusation that Director Patel has focused on anything other than fulfilling the president’s promise to make America safe again are bold-faced lies,” he said, highlighting the hard work that the FBI team engages in daily.

Patel, in a statement accompanying Bailey’s departure, acknowledged Bailey’s contributions to the bureau and noted that his decision was prompted by a desire to return to his family in Missouri. He expressed gratitude for Bailey’s efforts in enacting “critical reforms.”

Before joining the FBI in 2025, Bailey served as Missouri’s attorney general. When asked if his job conditions influenced the timing of his departure, he insisted it was unrelated and reiterated that his commitment to protecting children remains a central aspect of his work.

According to Bailey, the FBI has made significant strides in child protection, adding 55 agents to dedicated efforts and increasing the number of victim service providers nationwide. He consistently pressed staff on fulfilling their responsibilities towards victims, labeling the bureau’s victim services program as “top notch.”

During his time in Washington, Bailey described his role as part of a “truly historic transformation” of federal law enforcement under the Trump administration. He credited initiatives like homeland security task forces and the classification of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations as pivotal to enhancing law enforcement capabilities.

Bailey cited various accomplishments, including a reported 20% reduction in homicides and the arrest of more than 5,000 violent offenders, as indicators of the effectiveness of these strategies. He also mentioned significant seizures of fentanyl and the identification of thousands of child victims, though he didn’t specify a timeline for these figures.

He highlighted the scale and mission of the FBI, emphasizing its workforce of approximately 38,000 employees dedicated to both criminal investigations and national security, while noting the importance of resource allocation across its operations.

In addressing criticisms of Patel’s methods, Bailey rejected claims suggesting resistance to change and defended the need for the bureau to refocus on its core mission of safeguarding the public.

Looking ahead, Bailey expressed a desire to return to public service in the future, although he remained vague about potential roles. For now, he’s enthusiastic about reconnecting with his children and participating in their activities.