Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey arrives to testify during the House Homeland Security Committee. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
As Missouri's AG, Bailey made national headlines opposing former President Joe Biden's efforts to wipe away student debt. He also worked to curb Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at multiple major companies, including at Starbucks, which he accused of "race-based hiring" earlier this year. Bailey also spoke up in favor of President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.
Bailey also launched an anti-human trafficking task force and addressed more than 1,100 reported incidents in Missouri, in addition to clearing the backlog of Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits to improve prosecution of sexual assault cases.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., hailed Bailey's hiring in a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, praising the former prosecutor's work in his home state.
"Andrew Bailey is going to be terrific at the FBI," Hawley said. "He's been a stand-out prosecutor for Missouri. Now he will bring all those skills to bear for the country."
FBI'S DAN BONGINO THINKING OF RESIGNING AFTER CLASH WITH AG BONDI: SOURCE
Attorney General Pam Bondi says she is excited for Bailey to begin his role as co-deputy director at the FBI. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bongino was frustrated about the rollout of a public Epstein memo in July and what he viewed as Bondi's "lack of transparency from the start." The memo, a joint product of the DOJ and FBI, said the two agencies had no further information to share with the public about Epstein's case, a revelation that sparked fury among the MAGA base.
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It has been nearly two months since the rumors of Bongino's potential resignation began, however, and he still remains at the FBI.
Fox News' Ashley Oliver and Brooke Singman contributed to this report
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-fbi-deputy-director-andrew-bailey-begins-work-alongside-bongino