Trump Administration Appoints Andrew Bailey, Noted Opponent of Transgender Rights, as FBI Co-Deputy Director

President Donald Trump has appointed Andrew Bailey, the outgoing Missouri Attorney General, as co-deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation—a first in the agency’s history that raises new questions about the direction of federal law enforcement, especially for LGBTQ+ Americans . Bailey, a Republican with a well-documented history of opposition to transgender rights, will serve alongside current deputy director Dan Bongino, whose tenure has been marred by controversy over the handling of high-profile sex abuse investigations .

Bailey's appointment has been met with swift condemnation from civil rights organizations, particularly those advocating for transgender people. During his term as Missouri Attorney General, Bailey spearheaded policies and legal actions that targeted access to gender-affirming health care and imposed severe restrictions on transgender minors and adults alike . He is perhaps most notorious for implementing a so-called “anti-trans snitch line,” encouraging state residents to report health care providers offering gender-affirming care—a move denounced by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri .

Civil rights attorney Gillian Wilcox, Deputy Director for Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri, previously stated, “Bailey seeks to corrupt our health care system and play politics at the expense of life-saving medical care” . Under Bailey’s leadership, the state’s attorney general’s office issued sweeping subpoenas to clinics and hospitals, seeking private medical records of transgender patients—a move widely condemned by medical and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations .

Bailey’s arrival at the FBI comes as outgoing deputy director Dan Bongino faces intense scrutiny over the bureau’s handling of records related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuse case . Bongino has publicly disagreed with the Department of Justice’s decision not to release additional Epstein files, fueling speculation about his future at the bureau . The shakeup has reportedly caused unrest within the FBI, as the agency grapples with both public trust issues and internal leadership challenges .

The appointment of a known opponent of transgender rights to such a high-ranking federal law enforcement position has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community. Advocates fear that Bailey’s promotion signals a broader federal crackdown on gender-affirming care and civil liberties for transgender people . National organizations have highlighted the timing of the appointment, noting that it coincides with rising legal attacks on gender-affirming care at the Department of Justice and state legislatures across the country .

Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign have called on the administration to ensure that the FBI’s leadership upholds the equal protection rights of all Americans, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. “Federal law enforcement must pursue justice for all, not just for those who fit a narrow political agenda,” said a spokesperson for Lambda Legal in a press statement .

While Bailey has promised to “uphold the Constitution” and “protect America” in his new role , his track record as attorney general raises pressing concerns about the future of civil rights enforcement for LGBTQ+ people. Critics worry that Bailey’s elevation may embolden efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming health care and undermine existing federal protections against discrimination .

Legal experts emphasize that the FBI’s role in investigating hate crimes, enforcing civil rights statutes, and protecting vulnerable populations will come under intense scrutiny as Bailey assumes his new post . Civil rights advocates have vowed to closely monitor the bureau’s actions and continue to fight for the rights and dignity of transgender people nationwide .

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the appointment serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of vigilance in defending hard-won rights.