Timothy P. Murphy (FBI)

A new agent has taken over the FBI’s no. 2 spot, at least on a temporary basis. 

Associate Deputy Director Timothy P. Murphy, the no. 3 official at the FBI, has taken over the Deputy Director spot on an acting basis, Paul Bressen, an FBI spokesman, confirmed Monday. He replaces former Deputy FBI Director John Pistole, who was confirmed to head the Transportation Security Administration last week.

Bressen said a permanent replacement had not yet been named. Murphy is the leading candidate to replace Pistole on a permanent basis.

The website Tickle The Wire first reported that Murphy took over the position on an acting basis.

Additional reporting by David Johnston.

Murphy’s FBI bio is reprinted below:

Timothy P. Murphy began his career with the FBI when he entered on duty as a special agent in September 1988.

As a more than 20-year veteran of the FBI, he has worked a number of investigative matters, including counterterrorism and organized crime/drugs. He has served as a pilot in the aviation program and within the special operations, technical operations, undercover operations, and surveillance programs. He has held a number of supervisory and leadership positions at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in the field, including special agent in charge (SAC) of the Cincinnati Division, and he was a member of the Director’s SAC Advisory Committee.

Mr. Murphy has served as a special assistant to Director Mueller. In this position, Mr. Murphy provided counsel to the Director on a variety of policy, budget, and administrative matters. He also assisted in the preparation for the Director’s events and meetings, domestic and international travel, and ensured the resolution of day to day issues.

Mr. Murphy has also served as the assistant director/chief financial officer at FBI Headquarters. In this position, Mr. Murphy was responsible for formulating and executing the FBI’s then-$6.2 billion budget.

In January 2008, Mr. Murphy was appointed associate deputy director. In this position, Mr. Murphy oversees the management of the FBI’s personnel, budget, administration, and infrastructure.

Prior to entering the FBI, Mr. Murphy worked in the private sector and as a police officer in Michigan. He graduated from Ferris State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.