FBI deputy director Dan Bongino “ran out of D.C.” after clashing with Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House over their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, Axios reports.
The argument reportedly took place Wednesday following the release of a Justice Department and FBI memo detailing findings from the Epstein investigation concluding that there were no “client list” or evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent figures.
The memo also concluded that Epstein died by suicide while in custody at a Manhattan correctional facility awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019.
The clash between Bongino and Bondi was reportedly over a “missing minute” in security footage from the New York jail where Epstein was being held.
This missing minute fueled conspiracy theories online about a cover-up involving Epstein’s death as many speculate that he had not actually committed suicide.
Bongino has been touting the video as evidence that Epstein committed suicide despite spending years pushing theories centered around the video before he was chosen by Trump to work at the FBI.
According to Axios, Bongino was being blamed for the missing minute, but he was not pleased with Bondi over her handling of the Epstein files because he thought she over promised and under delivered.
Things came to a head during a Wednesday meeting, which included Bongino, Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Bongino and Patel were confronted about whether they had leaked to NewsNation that the FBI wanted more information released but was ultimately blocked by the Department of Justice.
“Pam said her piece. Dan said his piece. It didn’t end on friendly terms,” one source said.
A senior administration official told the that Bongino was upset after “he got heat online.”
“Bongino found the video with the missing minute. He vouched for it after a ‘thorough review,’ he said, and he thought this would end the matter,” that official said. “When that didn’t work, he lost his mind and ran out of D.C.”
Bongino did not show for work Friday, leading to speculation that he had quit. But administration officials say he is has a job.
However, a source close to Bongino said “he ain’t coming back.” CNN reported that Bongino has told people he is considering resigning.
