Andrew Bailey is leaving the FBI. He says the real reason is simple. He wants to be home with his four small children. This fact cuts through the noise. Bailey rejected suggestions that turmoil at the bureau pushed him out. He called those reports lies. He spoke bluntly in an exclusive interview. He wants the record to be clear. His departure is about parenting. It is not about politics. It is not about pressure. Bailey loves his kids. That is his priority now.
Bailey served as co-deputy director for over a year. He left his post as Missouri attorney general in 2025. He joined the bureau to help lead a transformation. He defended FBI Director Kash Patel strongly. He said Patel focuses only on making America safe. Bailey said the team works early and late. They often work without sleep. They focus on mission accomplishment. Bailey said any other claim is false. He stood by Patel’s leadership. He praised the reforms instituted at the agency. Patel thanked Bailey for his dedication. He said Bailey’s leadership would be missed.
Bailey highlighted specific wins during his tenure. The bureau added 55 agents to child protection. They increased victim service providers nationwide. Bailey said the victim services program is top-notch. He pressed staff on moral obligations. He wanted better notification for victims. The FBI processed 1.8 million DNA samples. The backlog dropped to zero. This happened for the first time ever. Bailey said resources moved from headquarters to field offices. More than 1,500 positions shifted. Agents could follow leads faster. Approval layers were reduced.
Bailey pointed to hard numbers as proof. He cited a 20 percent drop in homicides. More than 5,000 violent offenders were arrested. Thousands of child victims were rescued. The bureau seized over 3,000 kilograms of fentanyl. They arrested more than 4,200 terrorist members. Bailey said these results show the approach works. He credited task forces with the success. Over 2,000 new officers joined these teams. State and local officers joined federal efforts. Bailey said the FBI is truly transformed. He called it a historic change.
Bailey warned against resistance to change. He said the FBI was once weaponized. He said it targeted Trump and his family. Patel aims to return to core missions. This angers guardians of the status quo. Bailey said protecting the Constitution is key. He did not name specific political interference. He focused on structural improvements. He emphasized staffing changes and speed. Bailey plans to return to public service. He did not name a future role. He served in the Army and Iraq. He served in Missouri government. Now he goes home. He wants to enjoy time with his kids. His children are waiting in Missouri.