Kash Patel: Kash Patel removed as acting ATF chief, replaced by Army secretary Daniel Driscoll

File picture: FBI Director Kash Patel (Picture credit score: ANI)

FBI Director Kash Patel has been quietly removed as acting director of the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and replaced by US Army secretary Daniel Driscoll, in a management shuffle that was not publicly disclosed by the justice division, information company Reuters reported.
Patel, who was controversially holding two high posts within the Justice Department, each FBI director and acting ATF chief, was sworn in to guide the ATF on February 24, simply three days after assuming management on the FBI.
However, his time at ATF seems to have led to late February, although his title and picture remained on the company’s web site as of Wednesday afternoon and have been nonetheless featured in an official ATF press launch dated April 7, based on Reuters.
A justice division official confirmed Patel’s removing however insisted it was not associated to job efficiency. “Director Patel was briefly designated ATF Director while awaiting Senate confirmations, a standard, short-term move,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields was quoted as saying by Reuters.
“Director Patel is now excelling in his role at the FBI and delivering outstanding results”, Fields added.
The determination to put in Army secretary Daniel Driscoll as acting ATF director caught many off guard. Driscoll, who stays in his present army submit, now oversees the ATF whereas additionally managing a $187 billion Army finances and greater than 450,000 troopers all over the world.
As per information company AP, the twin function is uncommon, given the longstanding US coverage to take care of a strict divide between army operations and home legislation enforcement.
Driscoll, 38, beforehand served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance and ran unsuccessfully in a North Carolina congressional main in 2020. His appointment got here with out public announcement, and even senior ATF leaders have been knowledgeable solely this week, based on AP.
Patel’s sudden appointment in February as ATF chief shocked profession staff. When he arrived at ATF headquarters, he urged employees to give attention to concentrating on violent gang members however has not often been seen since, present and former officers have been cited as saying by Reuters.
The abrupt management modifications have fueled issues about instability inside the company, which performs a key function in investigating gun crimes, arson, bombings and regulating the firearms business.
“To see them in the situation they’re in now is just really heartbreaking,” mentioned Peter Forcelli, a former ATF assistant director was quoted by Reuters. “The fact they’re getting kicked around like a soccer ball is to me just incredibly disrespectful”, Forcelli added.
The management reshuffle comes amid broader discussions contained in the justice division about doubtlessly merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration to chop prices and consolidate enforcement assets, a transfer that might reshape federal firearms and narcotics investigations nationwide.
Meanwhile, lawyer common Pam Bondi has launched a brand new activity pressure centered on implementing the Second Amendment, which is able to embody the ATF and Civil Rights Division.
Bondi and US President Donald Trump have moved to roll again gun laws carried out throughout the Biden administration. Earlier this week, the ATF repealed its “zero tolerance” coverage on revoking licenses of gun sellers who commit severe violations, a shift that had been beforehand championed by Patel in a press launch.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the main gun business commerce group, praised Driscoll’s appointment on Wednesday, saying it “signals a resolve to bring reform to ATF and protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens”.