JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey abruptly resigned Monday to join President Donald Trump's administration.

Bailey, 44, will become a co-deputy director of the FBI with Dan Bongino.

The Republican lawyer’s looming departure from Missouri just eight months into his first full four-year term paves the way for Gov. Mike Kehoe to name a replacement.

Kehoe is scheduled to announce his pick Tuesday morning, signaling the move had been in the works for some time.

Bailey's resignation takes effect Sept. 8.

“It has been a humbling privilege to serve as the 44th Attorney General of the State of Missouri, and I am forever grateful to the people of Missouri for the opportunity to represent our state and your families," Bailey said in a statement.

“I am eternally grateful f

See Full Page