Kash Patel Replaced as Acting Head of ATF by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll
FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from his position as acting head of the ATF and replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
🚨 2A BREAKING NEWS 🚨
KASH PATEL OUT AT ATF pic.twitter.com/HNQzWgFQrj
— American Firearms Association (@2A_Freedom) April 9, 2025
The timing of Patel’s removal, which occurred in February, was not revealed until later, and it is unknown why the change was made.
Despite this change, Patel remained listed as the acting director of the ATF until an April 7 press release, and ATF leaders were only informed on April 9.
Driscoll, who serves as Army Secretary, will now also lead the ATF.
U.S. defense officials have traditionally maintained a separation between the military and domestic law enforcement, with military personnel barred from direct law enforcement activities on U.S. soil. However, military resources do assist in various law enforcement efforts, such as intelligence sharing along the southern border, per the Associated Press.
Driscoll’s new role adds to his already demanding duties as head of the Army, where he oversees its 452,000 soldiers and manages a vast budget for weapons, aircraft, and other military equipment.
Despite his military background, Driscoll has limited experience in law enforcement, having previously served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance and running unsuccessfully for a congressional seat in 2020, the Associated Press reported.
Patel’s unexpected appointment to lead both the FBI and the ATF in February was an unusual arrangement, given that these are two large, distinct agencies within the Department of Justice (DOJ).
While Patel continues to serve as FBI Director, he now no longer holds the acting director role at the ATF.
Despite this restructuring, a White House spokesperson emphasized that Patel’s removal was part of a standard, temporary arrangement while awaiting Senate confirmation. The spokesperson noted that Patel continues to perform well at the FBI. The Justice Department’s potential plan to merge the ATF and DEA aims to improve resource efficiency, case management, and regulatory functions, although no formal decision has been made yet.
“Director Kash Patel was briefly designated ATF Director while awaiting Senate confirmations — a standard, short-term move. Dozens of similar re-designations have occurred across the federal government,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said.
“Director Patel is now excelling in his role at the FBI and delivering outstanding results,” he added.
As the Associated Press pointed out, the ATF is tasked with investigating issues surrounding violent crime, gun trafficking, bombings and arson.
“It also provides technical expertise in tracing guns used in crimes and analyzing intelligence in shooting investigations,” the outlet wrote.
Reuters was the first outlet to report the shocking leadership shake-up at the ATF.
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He can’t do both Gary.