FBI Chicago chief forced into retirement, departs July 6

The head of the FBI’s Chicago field office is abruptly leaving his position after being told to retire, a departure that has exposed internal tensions within the bureau under the current administration. Douglas DePodesta, who has served as special agent in charge in Chicago for nearly two years, informed colleagues his last day will be Monday, July 6.

Multiple people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said DePodesta was pushed to retire. The specific reasons were not immediately clear, but DePodesta alluded to a conflict in a farewell message. "I've never backed down from a fight, as long as it meant our personnel could continue serving the FBI's mission," he wrote. "Unfortunately, that has proved unpopular over time and my departure is a consequence of that."

The move is part of a broader upheaval within the FBI under Director Kash Patel, who has sought to force out agents and supervisors perceived as not supporting the Trump administration's agenda. The bureau's official "Rapid Response" social media account commented publicly on the departure, stating, "It's simple: Anyone who is not on board with THIS FBI under the leadership of President Trump......