Top FBI agent in Chicago abruptly leaving post after being pushed to retire, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) – The head of the FBI’s Chicago field office is leaving his post abruptly, according to a resignation message he sent to colleagues and several people familiar with the situation who say he was told to retire.
Douglas DePodesta has been the special agent in charge of Chicago, one of the FBI’s largest offices, for nearly two years and has been with the bureau since 2002.
He told colleagues his last day would be Monday, according to a message seen by The Associated Press. Multiple people who discussed the personnel change on condition of anonymity said DePodesta was pushed to retire.
The events that led to his departure are not yet clear, but in his farewell note, DePodesta cited a conflict that he claimed precipitated it.
“I have never backed down from a fight as long as it means our personnel continue to serve the FBI mission,” DePodesta wrote in his message. “Unfortunately, over time it became clear that this was not very popular and my departure is a result of that.”
Movement is part of a process A broader upheaval in the FBI’s workforce As director Kaş Patel He has sought to remove agents and supervisors deemed unsupportive of the Trump administration’s agenda. This also comes amid prolonged turmoil in the law enforcement community in Chicago; chief federal prosecutor Andrew Boutros, described a comprehensive review this week From more than 1,000 grand jury presentations made by Illinois prosecutors after a high-profile case was dismissed for misconduct.
The FBI declined to comment Thursday, but the bureau’s “quick response” social media account on
DePodesta also quoted in his memo the farewell message from Patel’s predecessor, former Director Chris Wray; “You have been the person the American people turn to in their darkest moments,” Wray reminded the workforce, praising them for remaining true to “the values that define who we are and the qualities we stand for: Loyalty, Courage and Integrity.”
DePodesta joined the FBI in Chicago in 2002 and worked in drug investigations. He later held senior positions at FBI headquarters in Washington and in Detroit and Memphis before being named top agent in Chicago in August 2024.
