On his way out the door, the man who led the FBI in Chicago for the last two years reminded his team that “being a leader means stepping up when things are hard.”
In a message addressed to “FBI Chicago,” Douglas DePodesta wrote that “our recent past has challenged us in more ways than most of us could have ever imagined. I’ve never backed down from a fight, as long as it meant our personnel could continue serving the FBI’s mission.
“Unfortunately,” DePodesta added, “that has proven unpopular over time and my departure is a consequence of that.”
The Chicago Sun-Times obtained a copy of DePodesta’s message after news broke that he’d be leaving his job as special agent in charge of the Chicago FBI Field Office. His last day with the FBI will be Monday, the message said.
DePodesta thanked his team “for the tireless sacrifices you and your families make.
“No one outside of these walls will ever understand how brave and honorable you each are,” he wrote in closing. “Trust your instincts, be good to one another, and keep the FBI mission alive.”
In response to reporting about DePodesta’s departure, the FBI Rapid Response social media account on Wednesday said, “It’s simple: Anyone who is not on board with THIS FBI under the leadership of President Trump — which has achieved the lowest murder rate ever — is free to leave.”
The unexpected departure of DePodesta, a well-respected senior leader, has caused further tumult in Chicago’s federal law enforcement community, as well as a flurry of speculation about what prompted it. It comes six weeks after the collapse of the “Broadview Six” case against a group of Operation Midway Blitz protesters amid claims of prosecutor misconduct.
The controversy has mostly centered around the office of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros. But at least one judge has recently questioned whether she can trust information from federal agents. In all, Boutros has endured weeks of bad headlines.
In fact, Boutros complained about “an incredible amount of reckless reporting” when asked about the “Broadview Six” case during an unrelated press conference Thursday. He said it “almost rises to the level of violating New York Times vs. Sullivan, with the spin and the just falsities of some of the things that have been presented in the press.”
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan is a 1964 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that found damages cannot be awarded to a public official for defamation relating to his official conduct unless he proves that the statement was made with knowledge of its falsehood or with reckless disregard for whether it was true.
DePodesta took the helm of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office in August 2024. He’s been with the FBI since 2002, and over the course of his career he’s worked investigations involving drugs, corruption, terrorism and foreign counterintelligence.
Before joining the FBI he worked as a police officer in Cincinnati.
Asked about DePodesta’s departure on Thursday, Boutros told reporters it “was news to me.” He said he had lunch plans with DePodesta on Tuesday, and he said he hopes DePodesta doesn’t cancel “so we can do lunch together.”
Boutros also praised DePodesta for helping bring obstruction of justice charges against a Chicago man accused of playing a role in an alleged plan to attack the June 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship event held at the White House on President Donald Trump’s birthday.
“That case would not have been brought here in Chicago without the work and the dedication of Doug DePodesta and his team,” Boutros said.
Robert Cekada, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also appeared at the press conference. He told reporters he’d had an opportunity to see DePodesta on Thursday and “thank him for his service and his contribution to our success over the years.”
Cekada called DePodesta “a great man, honorable man, leaving the Department of Justice and moving on to the next chapter in his life.” And, he said, “that will come for me too.”