• FBI Co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey resigns to focus on family.
• His departure follows a year of overseeing election-related investigations.
• Bailey was appointed amid significant leadership tensions within the FBI.

Andrew Bailey, the Co-Deputy Director of the FBI, announced on Monday that he is resigning from his position effective October 2. Having served just over a year, Bailey cited the need to return to his family in Missouri as his primary reason for leaving. His tenure included significant involvement in high-profile investigations related to the 2020 U.S. election, and he expressed pride in his work with the agency on social media, stating, "I am confident Director Patel will continue to reform the FBI" according to Reuters.

Bailey, previously the attorney general of Missouri and a Republican ally of Donald Trump, was appointed as one of the FBI's deputy directors to help manage contentious relations between the FBI and the Justice Department. His appointment marked a shift, as he was one of the first not to come from a traditional career background within the bureau, serving alongside Dan Bongino until Bongino's exit in January. His departure highlights ongoing tensions and he thanked Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Kash Patel for their support during his time in office according to CBS News and India Times.

During Bailey's tenure, he was a key figure overseeing investigations into election integrity, including the scrutinized seizure of ballots in Georgia. Despite these efforts, the FBI has not substantiated claims of widespread voter fraud related to the 2020 election. Moreover, Bailey's time in the role faced criticism, including reports of his exclusion from key meetings, which indicates strained relationships within the agency according to LA Times and Reuters.