Christopher Raia

Kristen Mason

​

(m. 2003)​

Christopher Raia
Official portrait, 2026
Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 2026 Servingwith Andrew Bailey
Children	3
Education	United States Coast Guard Academy (BS)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Coast Guard
Years of service	1998-2003
Rank	Lieutenant

Christopher Gilbert Raia (born April 17, 1976) is an American law enforcement officer who has served as a Co-Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2026. ^[1] Raia served as the assistant director in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York City field office from March 2025 to January 2026, before being sworn in as deputy director.

Early life and education (1976–1998)

Christopher Gilbert Raia ^[2] was born on April 17, 1976, ^[3] in Illinois. ^[2] He attended Michigan City High School in Michigan City, Indiana ^[4] and the United States Coast Guard Academy. ^[5]

Career

United States Coast Guard (1994–2003)

He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1998. ^[6] He then served in Florida as a United States Coast Guard Lieutenant. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

FBI Counterterrorism Division (2003–2026)

In 2003, Raia joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent in 2003. ^[5] He was an early informant of the 2011 alleged Iran assassination plot by a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. ^[9]

Raia was involved in the investigation into the 2025 New Orleans truck attack. ^[10] In March 2025, Kash Patel, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, fired James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the New York City field office. Raia succeeded Dennehy. ^[7] He led the prosecution of the pro-Palestinian activist Tarek Bazrouk ^[11] and the 2025 NBA illegal gambling prosecution. ^[12]

Deputy Director of the FBI (2026–present)

In January 2026, The New York Times reported that Raia had been named as the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, succeeding Dan Bongino. ^[7]

Personal life

In 2003, Raia married Kristen Mason; ^[2] they have three children. ^[13]

References

1. "Head of FBI's New York field office to serve as co-deputy director". ABC . January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
2. "Christopher Gilbert Raia in the Indiana, U.S., Marriage Certificates, 1960-2012" (Document). Marriage Certificates.
3. "Christopher G Raia in the U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1" (Document). Public Records Index.
4. "Rogers outslugs Kouts, 12-11". Vidette-Messenger of Porter County. April 28, 1994. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
5. Neavling, Steve (April 10, 2025). "FBI Names New Leaders of New York and Washington Field Offices". Tickle the Wire. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
6. "COCS, PROMOTIONS & HONORS". US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. April 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
7. Barrett, Devlin; Rashbaum, William; Feuer, Alan (January 9, 2026). "New F.B.I. Deputy Director Chosen After Bongino's Departure". The New York Times . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
8. "Christopher G. Raia Named Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office". Federal Bureau of Investigation . April 9, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
9. Schiller, Dane (January 7, 2015). "How a plot to kill Saudi ambassador went from fiction to fact". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
10. Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas; Taft, Isabelle; Levenson, Michael (January 2, 2025). "New Orleans Attacker Most Likely Acted Alone, Officials Say". The New York Times . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
11. Stack, Liam (May 7, 2025). "Man Is Charged With Federal Hate Crimes in Assaults on Jewish Protesters". The New York Times . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
12. Nerkar, Santul; Cramer, Maria; Ganguli, Tania; Bromwich, Jonah (October 23, 2025). "U.S. Charges N.B.A. Coach and Players in Gambling Schemes". The New York Times . Retrieved January 9, 2026.
13. "Christopher G. Raia Named Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved January 10, 2026.