Missouri has quite the track record in recent years of its attorney generals moving on to prominent national roles.
Eric Schmitt was appointed to the job in 2019 (and won his election in 2020) after Josh Hawley went to the Senate—but then Schmitt too left the post to become a senator. Next to be called up was Andrew Bailey, who was appointed in 2022 (and won election in 2024), but on Monday, he announced that he is leaving the role to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
It would seem that the job of MO AG is quite the stepping stone.
I am proud to announce I have accepted the role of Co-Deputy Director of the FBI.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) August 18, 2025
I extend my thanks to @POTUS and @AGPamBondi for the opportunity to serve in the mission to Make America Safe Again.
I will protect America and uphold the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/hkMi2p1bXV
Bailey will join former Secret Service agent and longtime conservative pundit Dan Bongino as co-deputy directors. Bongino was appointed by President Donald Trump in February.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was excited about the move:
"I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI. He has served as a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service," U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.
MO AG Andrew Bailey Targets Planned Parenthood for Their Messaging on the Abortion Pill
FBI Director Kash Patel weighed in, saying that Bailey would be an “integral part” of restoring law and order in the country:
"The FBI, as the leading investigative body of the federal government under the Department of Justice, will always bring the greatest talent this country has to offer in order to accomplish the goals set forth when an overwhelming majority of American people elected President Donald J. Trump again," Patel told Fox News Digital, adding that Bailey will be an "integral part of this important mission" and said he looks forward to "the continued fight to save America together."
Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, who will name Bailey’s replacement, congratulated the new co-deputy director, but also said the state would miss him:
Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s appointment as the Co-Deputy Director of the FBI is another testament to President Trump’s commitment to enforcing law and order as Andrew has been a fighter for our state and nation throughout his entire career.
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) August 18, 2025
Although Missourians will miss… pic.twitter.com/eHxacMBkAt
Although Missourians will miss Andrew’s strong leadership in the Attorney General’s Office, we know that he will serve Americans well at the FBI. Congratulations to Andrew and his family on this appointment.
Bailey held a no-nonsense outlook during his stint as AG:
Bailey, as Missouri’s attorney general, launched an anti-human trafficking task force and addressed more than 1,100 reported incidents in Missouri. He also cleared the backlog of Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits to improve prosecution of sexual assault cases…
Bailey also has held public officials accountable during his time as attorney general. He demanded the resignation of a sheriff for financial mismanagement and misconduct, and, separately, announced a grand jury indictment against a St. Louis county executive for stealing and election law violations.
Now the question becomes: who’s next in line for the job as Missouri’s attorney general? Whoever it is, they will have some tough acts to follow.
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