James Dennehy, head of the FBI's New York office, marched out of his office for the last time after being forced to resign earlier this week. And in a sign that he truly values his self-worth, he did so with a cheering escort, crying-eyed colleagues, and a man playing the bagpipes.
No, I'm not kidding.
In one of the sadder displays of performance art and "woe is me" theater you'll ever see, Dennehy, who vowed just last month to "dig in" against the Trump administration, walked out on the bureau instead.
The bagpipe music playing as Dennehy left the building symbolizes a traditional farewell for law enforcement or military retirements. He did not, however, have a traditional retirement. Multiple sources at NBC News reported that the NY office head had been given two choices — resign or be fired.
New York FBI Field Office Chief James Dennehy leaves the building to the sound of bagpipes.
— Denn Dunham (@DennD68) March 7, 2025
Dennehy was forced to resign by the Trump Administration on Monday.
He was also in office when FBI NY withheld Epstein documents from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
So symbolic of his FBI… pic.twitter.com/OE3uxpplto
The narcissistic display follows an email Dennehy sent to staff indicating he would defy President Trump and his administration and "dig in" against any effort to drain the swamp.
“Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the F.B.I. and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and F.B.I. policy,” the forlorn FBI chief wrote. “Time for me to dig in.”
His message came amid a Department of Justice order to identify FBI employees who worked on cases involving malicious prosecution against those who peacefully protested on January 6th, 2021.
Dennehy's option to "dig in" himself was severely hindered when he was forced out of his role. In a note to staff obtained by The Hill, he remained defiant even as he was to be walked out with a bagpipe ceremony shortly thereafter.
“I’ve been told many times in my life, ‘When you find yourself in a hole, sometimes it’s best to quit digging.’ Screw that,” Dennehy wrote. “I will never stop defending this joint. I’ll just do it willingly and proudly from outside the wire.”
One can almost hear the world's smallest violin playing in the background as he continues.
“As I leave today, I have an immense feeling of pride — to have represented an office of professionals who will always do the right thing for the right reasons; who will always seek the truth while upholding the rule of law,” he continued.
Narrator: The FBI under President Joe Biden did not "do the right thing" when it came to relentlessly pursuing people over a fake insurrection.
“We will not bend. We will not falter," Dennehy added. "We will not sacrifice what is right for anything or anyone.”
He then bent and faltered his way out the door while the tears flowed heavily from those surrounding him.
James Dennehy refused to hand evidence to the AG. He violated the Hatch Act. And sent emails misrepresenting his military service to subordinates.
— Steve Friend (@RealStevefriend) March 7, 2025
No surprise that he believes this is a classy exit. https://t.co/Qsudtxrw2T
Dennehy told colleagues he was not given a reason for being let go.
Though some pundits have noted his dismissal comes just days after Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the FBI to provide the complete Epstein files. The much-ballyhooed release would crash and burn, much to the dismay of those seeking justice for child sexual assault victims.
"So did the FBI deliver a lot more material to Bondi and did Patel or someone in his office determine it had been withheld by Dennehy?" Hot Air's John Sexton wondered. "At this moment we don't know but it seems like a possibility given the timing."
🚨BREAKING: The head of FBI field office in New York, James Dennehy, has just been forced to resign his post. He claims he was not given a reason why, but the Department of Justice has accused his office of refusing to hand over a trove of Epstein documents to Attorney General… pic.twitter.com/jBdSBrwMH0
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 3, 2025
Withholding documents, if that is the case, doesn't seem like the right thing.
Maybe the bagpipes and tears should be saved for those who have never seen justice in the Epstein case. It seems slightly more appropriate.
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