JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey will step down next month as the state’s top cop to become co-deputy director with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Bailey's resignation will take effect on Monday, Sept. 8. In a statement, the outgoing attorney general expressed gratitude to serve the state, but said duty calls in the nation's capitol.

“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," he said. "My life has been defined by a call to service, and I am once again answering that call, this time at the national level. But wherever I am called, Missouri is and always will be home."

Bailey will serve as co-deputy director alongside Dan Bongino. Both men will report to FBI Director Kash Patel.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi heralded Bailey's "dedication to service" in a statement.

“I am thrilled to welcome Andrew Bailey as Co-Deputy Director of the FBI. He has served as a distinguished attorney general for Missouri and is a decorated war veteran, bringing expertise and dedication to service,” she said. “His leadership and commitment to country will be a tremendous asset as we work together to advance President Trump’s mission. While we know this is undoubtedly a great loss for Missouri, it is a tremendous gain for America.”

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe will appoint Bailey's successor at a 10 a.m. news conference on Tuesday. Kehoe praised Bailey's "strong leadership" as attorney general, adding that he'll be a valuable asset to federal law enforcement.

With Bailey's departure, Missouri will soon have its fourth attorney general in more than eight years.

Senator Josh Hawley served as Missouri AG for less than two years before winning Claire McCaskill’s Senate seat in the 2018 election.

Former Governor Mike Parson appointed Eric Schmitt to succeed Hawley. Voters backed Schmitt for a full term in the 2020 elections. However, in March 2021, Schmitt announced his intention to run for Senate with Roy Blunt’s impending retirement. Schmitt won the Senate race in 2022 and assumed office in January 2023.

Parson appointed Bailey to serve the remainder of Schmitt's term. Bailey won a full term in 2024. He was rumored to be a finalist for U.S. Attorney General before Bondi was selected for the position.

FOX News Digital first broke the story, with the Missouri Independent providing additional reporting.