The head of the FBI's New York field office, James Dennehy, has announced his retirement after being directed to do so by the bureau. Dennehy, who had been leading one of the FBI's busiest and most prestigious offices for several months, sent a message to colleagues stating that he was told to put in his retirement papers without being given a reason.
The retirement comes amidst a period of upheaval at the bureau following the appointment of new FBI Director Kash Patel and the naming of conservative podcaster Dan Bongino as deputy director. The FBI has also been embroiled in controversy over a Justice Department directive requesting a list of agents involved in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which some viewed as a potential precursor to mass firings.
Dennehy, a former Marine, had previously resisted the order to provide the list of agents, expressing his commitment to defending the bureau. In his message to colleagues, he vowed to continue defending the FBI from outside the organization.
Dennehy highlighted the independence of the FBI as one of the things he would miss the most, emphasizing the bureau's unwavering commitment to doing what is right. The FBI and the Justice Department have not provided comments on Dennehy's retirement.
Recent conflicts have also arisen, including Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim that the FBI office in New York withheld thousands of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi ordered the FBI to hand over the full Epstein files and directed Patel to investigate why her order was not followed.
Dennehy was appointed to lead the New York field office by former FBI Director Christopher Wray in September. He had a long career with the FBI, starting as a special agent in the New York field office in 2002 and holding various roles, including special agent in charge of the Newark, New Jersey, field office.
