Hailey
Andrew Bailey, the current Missouri Attorney General, has announced he will step down from office on September 8, 2025 to take a high-profile role in the Trump administration.
Bailey will serve as co-deputy director of the FBI, marking another big shift in Missouri’s attorney general office, which has already seen three changes in just six years.
His time in office was short but controversial, filled with lawsuits, clashes with officials, and accusations of corruption and incompetence.
This article explains why Bailey is leaving, his background, key controversies, and what this means for Missouri politics moving forward.
Andrew Bailey’s Resignation Announcement
Bailey confirmed in an official news release that his last day in office will be September 8, 2025. He said his career has always been about “a call to service” and that he now feels the need to serve at the national level.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe will announce his replacement on August 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. The new attorney general will hold the position until 2028, finishing Bailey’s current term.
How Bailey Became Attorney General
- Bailey was appointed in 2022 after Eric Schmitt left the office to become a U.S. Senator.
- Before that, Josh Hawley also left the position for a Senate seat in 2018.
- At the time of his appointment, Bailey was serving as Governor Mike Parson’s general counsel.
- He previously worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Warren County and later as an assistant attorney general.
- Bailey never ran for public office before being chosen.
Bailey’s Loyalty to Trump
Bailey has been one of the strongest supporters of Donald Trump in Missouri politics.
- He backed Trump’s false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
- He even tried to intervene in Trump’s New York criminal case, where Trump was convicted of 34 felonies.
- His new role at the FBI highlights his continuing loyalty to Trump’s leadership.
Major Lawsuits and Legal Battles
During his short time as attorney general, Bailey focused on confrontations and lawsuits.
Lawsuits and Investigations Under Bailey:
- Filed two lawsuits to stop federal student loan forgiveness programs.
- Tried but failed to prove that the Biden administration worked with social media to censor conservative voices.
- Launched lawsuits about medical records of transgender children as part of his push to end gender-affirming care in Missouri.
- Helped force St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner out of office.
- Pushed felony charges against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.
Bailey’s Tenure in Numbers
| Event / Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointment as Attorney General | 2022, replacing Eric Schmitt |
| Last Day in Office | September 8, 2025 |
| Replacement Announcement | August 19, 2025, by Gov. Mike Kehoe |
| High-Profile Federal Cases | Lawsuits against student loan forgiveness, Biden admin, transgender care |
| Political Loyalty | Supported Trump’s false 2020 election claims, defended Trump in court |
| Major Controversies | Corruption accusations, campaign donations scandals, missed court deadlines |
Controversies and Criticism
Bailey’s leadership was criticized for corruption, incompetence, and grandstanding.
- Missed deadlines in important lawsuits, such as the case against Missouri school districts over COVID-19 mask mandates.
- Nearly faced questioning under oath for misconduct in a case involving Jackson County.
- Wrongly blamed a school district’s diversity program for an assault incident, which led to a formal complaint.
- Accepted $50,000 in campaign donations from Doe Run, a company facing lawsuits over lead poisoning in Peru.
- Recused himself from a gambling lawsuit after receiving campaign contributions from related lobbyist PACs.
These controversies gave critics reason to claim Bailey was more focused on media appearances than effectively managing the Attorney General’s office.
Why Bailey’s Departure Matters for Missouri
This change makes it the third time in six years Missouri will see a new attorney general. Frequent turnovers create instability in one of the state’s most important legal offices.
Governor Kehoe’s decision on Bailey’s successor will influence statewide politics, lawsuits, and Missouri’s relationship with federal authorities.
Andrew Bailey’s resignation as Missouri Attorney General marks another turning point in the state’s politics. His loyalty to Trump, his record of controversial lawsuits, and the allegations of corruption will remain a major part of his legacy.
By moving into the FBI under Trump’s administration, Bailey’s career continues at the national level, but Missouri is once again left to adjust to a new attorney general.
This frequent change raises serious questions about stability and accountability in the state’s legal system. For Missouri residents, the next attorney general’s leadership will play a critical role in shaping policies on law enforcement, healthcare, and government accountability for years to come.