### FBI Appoints Christopher Raia as New Co-Deputy Director Following Dan Bongino's Departure The FBI has officially announced the appointment of Christopher Raia as co-deputy director, succeeding Dan Bongino, who recently left the position. Raia, a seasoned agent with a career at the FBI since 2003, has been leading the agency's New York field office and played a significant role in high-profile investigations, including the response to a deadly truck attack in New Orleans. His promotion is part of a broader restructuring within the FBI, which aims to stabilize leadership amid ongoing challenges within the bureau. This change comes as the FBI continues to navigate complex investigations and public scrutiny. ### Overview of the Appointment and Context - **New Appointment**: Christopher Raia has been named co-deputy director of the FBI, replacing Dan Bongino [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/4413620/fbi-names-agent-dan-bongino-replacement-deputy-director]. - **Background of Raia**: Raia has been with the FBI since 2003 and has served in various capacities, including as the head of the New York field office [https://bci24news.com/2026/01/fbi-names-new-york-field-office-chief-as-new-deputy-director]. - **Leadership Structure**: Raia will work alongside Andrew Bailey, who has been serving as co-deputy director since September 2025, maintaining a three-person leadership structure at the FBI [https://conservativeangle.com/just-in-fbi-names-dan-bonginos-replacement]. - **Bongino's Departure**: Dan Bongino, a former police officer and conservative commentator, left the deputy director role after a brief tenure, which has raised questions about the agency's leadership dynamics [https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/top-fbi-new-york-field-office-official-tapped-to-replace-dan-bongino]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Raia's Experience**: - Joined the FBI in 2003. - Previously served as the FBI's top counterterrorism official. - Led the New York field office, which is one of the most critical positions within the bureau [https://timesnewsnetworks.com/fbi-names-christopher-raia-co-deputy-director-after-dan-bonginos-departure]. - **Leadership Changes**: - The FBI has implemented a three-person leadership structure to address internal challenges and improve operational effectiveness [https://yournews.com/2026/01/10/6069645/fbi-taps-new-york-field-office-chief-christopher-raia-as]. - Raia's appointment is seen as a return to having an active FBI agent in the deputy director role, fulfilling a commitment made by FBI Director Kash Patel [https://mynorthwest.com/national/head-of-fbis-new-york-field-office-to-serve-as-co-deputy-director-after-bonginos-departure/4185317]. ### Conclusion and Implications In summary, **Christopher Raia's appointment as co-deputy director of the FBI marks a significant shift in the agency's leadership**. His extensive experience and background in counterterrorism and field operations position him well to address the challenges facing the bureau. The decision to maintain a three-person leadership structure reflects an ongoing effort to stabilize the FBI amid scrutiny and operational demands. 1. **Raia's Background**: A seasoned agent with a strong track record. 2. **Leadership Dynamics**: The FBI's three-person leadership aims to enhance operational effectiveness. 3. **Bongino's Exit**: Raises questions about the agency's direction and internal challenges. This leadership change is expected to influence the FBI's approach to ongoing investigations and public relations as it seeks to regain trust and effectiveness in its operations [https://d2698.cms.socastsrm.com/2026/01/09/fbi-to-tap-head-of-new-york-office-for-no-2-job-nyt-reports].