Epstein Files Fallout: Kash Patel considers resignation; Pam Bondi vs Dan Bongino - the story so far

Time of India

19 hours ago

The Trump administration is facing its most volatile internal crisis yet, as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino edges closer to resignation over Attorney General Pam Bondi's mishandling of the long-anticipated Epstein files.
The fallout, driven by Bondi's broken promises and growing public outrage, has FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly prepared to follow Bongino out the door—setting the stage for a possible leadership implosion at the heart of American law enforcement.
This internal war—once quietly brewing—is now on full display, with recriminations flying, alliances shifting, and MAGA loyalists turning on their own.
The Flashpoint: DOJ Memo Torches 'Client List' Hopes
On July 7, the Department of Justice issued a memo that decisively undercut the narrative Bondi had been peddling for months.
The two-page document concluded there was no evidence of a 'client list,' no credible signs of blackmail, and reaffirmed the long-standing official position that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail cell in 2019.
The memo, signed off by both DOJ and FBI leadership, included surveillance footage and investigative summaries that contradicted Bondi's earlier statements. For months, she had claimed the FBI was in possession of tens of thousands of hours of disturbing video footage, and had repeatedly promised bombshell disclosures.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals
ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan
Get Quote
Undo
Those promises now appear to have been hollow.
Conservative influencers, who had banked on explosive revelations implicating elites, were incensed. Bondi's office had built expectations with Phase 1 of the 'Epstein Files' back in February—a series of binders handed out to right-wing media figures that mostly repackaged previously leaked information. With the July memo's flat conclusions, fury erupted.
Bongino vs Bondi: The Internal Explosion
The conflict between Bongino and Bondi came to a head on July 9 during a closed-door White House meeting.
Bondi accused Bongino of leaking frustrations to the press, an allegation he denied. Witnesses described the exchange as heated and personal, with Bongino storming out of the room.
Two days later, Bongino took a personal day and has not returned. Multiple administration sources now say his resignation is imminent. One source described him as 'done,' and unwilling to work another day under Bondi's leadership. Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and a fixture in conservative media, had reluctantly endorsed the DOJ memo's suicide conclusion, only to be caught in the backlash from MAGA influencers who accused him of selling out.
Kash Patel: Torn Between Loyalty and Fallout
FBI Director Kash Patel is also said to be considering resignation. Once a key proponent of theories questioning Epstein's death, Patel has since aligned with the suicide explanation in his official capacity. However, insiders say he is privately furious at Bondi for damaging the Bureau's credibility and igniting a crisis within the administration.
Patel's calculus is reportedly tied to Bongino's fate. If his deputy resigns, Patel may follow, seeing little institutional value in continuing under Bondi's divisive leadership.
One aide close to the director said, 'He doesn't want to be left holding the bag. If Bongino goes, Kash walks too.'
MAGA Mutiny: The Base Turns on Bondi
Bondi, once lionised by MAGA world as a crusading truth-teller, now finds herself isolated. Online, influencers and activists who once supported her are accusing her of deceit. Hashtags attacking her flooded conservative corners of social media in the days following the memo's release. Even voices that typically defend the Trump administration have begun to call for her resignation.
What makes the backlash particularly potent is that Bondi had personally staked her reputation on the idea that the Epstein files contained smoking guns. Now that official documentation has concluded otherwise, she has lost the confidence of both the public and senior officials inside the administration.
Trump's Calculated Distance
Donald Trump has so far refused to intervene. During a cabinet meeting on July 8, he reportedly urged his team to 'move on' from the Epstein issue, calling it a distraction from his legislative agenda.
While the president continues to publicly back Bondi, insiders say he's well aware of her declining utility. Trump's political instincts have always been sharper than his personal loyalties—and Bondi may soon find herself on the wrong side of that calculation.
Timeline of the Fallout
February 2025: Bondi distributes 'Epstein Files: Phase 1' to influencers—mostly rehashed content
May 2025: Bongino and Patel publicly align with suicide ruling
July 7, 2025: DOJ memo affirms suicide, no client list, no charges pending
July 9, 2025: Bondi and Bongino clash during White House meeting
July 11, 2025: Bongino takes leave; resignation imminent
July 12, 2025: Patel signals he may leave if Bongino quits
The Big Picture
This isn't just about Epstein. It's about trust, credibility, and the fault lines within the Trump-era security state. Bondi's promise of transparency has backfired, alienating the very audience it was meant to appease. Bongino's looming exit and Patel's wavering loyalty signal a broader collapse of cohesion at the top. With two of the administration's most prominent law enforcement figures ready to walk and the base in open revolt, Pam Bondi's position may no longer be tenable.
And while the Epstein case may be officially closed, the political aftershocks are far from over.