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Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll Appointed Interim ATF Chief, Replacing Kash Patel

Daniel Driscoll, currently serving as the U.S. Army Secretary, has also been named as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), according to three American officials who spoke with USA TODAY. The ATF operates under the umbrella of the Department of Justice.

Two sources from the Department of Defense confirmed that Driscoll is now leading the ATF while continuing in his role as Army Secretary. A spokesperson for the Justice Department acknowledged the transition but declined to explain the reasoning behind Kash Patel's replacement, USA TODAY reported.

Patel, known for his strong allegiance to former President Donald Trump, took on the role of interim ATF head in late February—shortly after he was appointed FBI director. Reuters was first to disclose the change in leadership.

Details regarding the timing of Patel’s departure remain unclear. As of Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET, his image and title as interim director were still visible on the ATF’s official website.

This swift leadership change occurs amid internal Justice Department discussions about a potential merger between the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a move reportedly aimed at reducing expenses.

Driscoll, who became the 26th Army Secretary after a Trump nomination and Senate confirmation, officially assumed that role on February 25.

He began his military career in 2007 as an armor officer and led a cavalry unit from the 10th Mountain Division during a 2009 deployment to Baghdad, according to his Army profile.

Following his active-duty service, Driscoll pursued a law degree at Yale and contributed to the Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Despite his extensive experience in finance and operations, his resume does not reflect any direct background in federal law enforcement.

Now tasked with overseeing the ATF, Driscoll steps into a leadership position at an agency charged with regulating firearms, explosives, and tobacco products.

Meanwhile, the FBI has seen a surge in interest under Patel’s direction.

Since Patel took over, the agency has witnessed an unprecedented increase in job applications. March alone brought in 5,577 submissions to become FBI agents—more than double the monthly average since 2016 and the highest since April of that year, when applications reached 5,283, according to Fox News Digital.

FBI statistics shared with Fox News show that the monthly average was 2,797 in 2023 and rose to 3,383 in 2024.

“Director Patel and Deputy Director (Dan) Bongino have put a major emphasis on restoring confidence in federal law enforcement and boosting new agent recruiting. These record early returns certainly suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction,” said FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson on Wednesday.

Altogether, more than 10,000 applications have come in since January. That month alone—coinciding with the start of Trump’s administration and Patel’s confirmation—brought 4,143 applications, the most in a single month since August 2020.

Erica Knight, an advisor to Patel, said the March surge was proof that Patel’s “commitment to restoring integrity and effectiveness at the bureau” was resonating with Americans. “People are putting their trust in his leadership to rebuild the FBI and keep our communities safe,” she told Fox News Digital.

“Kash is dedicated to creating a stronger, more trusted FBI that serves the American people the way it was always meant to,” Knight added.

During his Senate hearing in January, Patel emphasized what he called the “erosion of trust” facing the FBI. He cited a poll indicating that “only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the FBI,” and insisted that this perception must be addressed. “Public cooperation is vital for the bureau to solve crimes, and its declining reputation is already affecting recruitment efforts,” he testified.

Patel and Bongino have prioritized hiring and agency morale, adopting a leadership philosophy that encourages “letting good cops be cops.” That shift in culture is being credited for the sharp rise in applicants.

To support recruitment, Patel recently released a video showing him alongside agents in the field and highlighting elite operations like the FBI’s hostage rescue team. The video ends with the agency’s emblem and the message: “A renewed mission. A stronger future.”

The closing call to action? “Apply today at FBIJobs.gov.”

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