FBI names Christopher Raia co-deputy director after Dan Bongino's departure

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FBI’s New York boss vows to crush gangs operating in AOC’s 'red-light' district

Christopher Raia, the FBI’s assistant director for New York, has vowed to dismantle gangs tied to drug trafficking, prostitution and human trafficking along Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, New York City.

FBI veteran Christopher Raia has been named co-deputy director of the federal law enforcement agency, the bureau confirmed Friday to Fox News Digital.

Raia, who runs the bureau's New York City field office, will move to Washington, D.C., and begin his job on Monday serving as co-deputy director with Andrew Bailey.

Raia’s elevation comes after Dan Bongino announced he was leaving the position and returning to "civilian life." His last day on the job was Jan. 3.

Bongino was a conservative commentator and podcaster before President Donald Trump nominated him for the position.

DAN BONGINO OFFICIALLY LEAVES FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR ROLE AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR, RETURNS TO ‘CIVILIAN LIFE’

FBI veteran Christopher G. Raia, left, has been named co-deputy director of the law enforcement agency, the FBI confirmed to Fox News Digital. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

"It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump," Bongino wrote on X Saturday. "It was the honor of a lifetime to work with Director [Kash] Patel, and to serve you, the American people. See you on the other side."

Bongino made the announcement he was leaving last month, thanking Trump, Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi "for the opportunity to serve with purpose."

BONDI, PATEL TAP MISSOURI AG AS ADDITIONAL FBI CO-DEPUTY DIRECTOR ALONGSIDE BONGINO

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino left earlier this month.  (Reuters/Jessica Koscielniak)

Bongino and Bondi had previously clashed over the release of the Epstein files, and a source told Fox News over the summer he had considered resigning over the Justice Department’s handling of the situation.

Raia is the head of the FBI's New York office.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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Bongino didn’t give a reason for his resignation less than a year after he started as deputy director, but Trump said last month the 51-year-old "wants to go back to his show."