Trump Administration Replaces Kash Patel; Army Secretary Driscoll Takes Over as Acting ATF Director
Kash Patel has been removed from his interim role as the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stepping in as his replacement.
As reported by Axios, the leadership shift wasn’t made public in advance. The outlet described the transition as an “unusual move to place a civilian military leader in charge of a federal law enforcement agency.” Driscoll will now oversee the ATF while continuing his responsibilities as Army secretary.
A spokesperson for the ATF confirmed the leadership change, stating, “ATF can confirm the change in leadership to Acting Director Daniel Driscoll.”
According to Reuters, a source from the Justice Department clarified that the decision was not related to Patel’s performance in his FBI leadership role.
White House official Harrison Fields explained that “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.” Fields added, “Director Patel is now excelling in his role at the FBI and delivering outstanding results.”
This development comes amid internal discussions within the Justice Department about potentially combining the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration in a bid to improve efficiency.
The New York Times noted that Patel’s removal followed shortly after his Senate confirmation in February to serve as FBI Director. The report highlighted that Driscoll’s status as a Senate-confirmed official played a role in his appointment. It also described Driscoll as being “close to Vice President J.D. Vance,” and stated that he assumed control of the ATF within the last week.
In a public statement, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) expressed support for the change.
“President Trump’s decision to appoint Acting Director Driscoll is indicative of his resolve to bring reform to the ATF and protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and the industry that makes it possible to exercise those rights,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.
Keane also acknowledged Patel’s service, saying, “NSSF is deeply appreciative of FBI Director Kash Patel’s service to lead the ATF as Acting Director for nearly two months in his interim role and the recognition, along with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, that the ATF was weaponized by the previous administration to carry out a radical gun control agenda.”
He concluded by saying, “The firearm industry is confident that President Trump’s appointment of Acting Director Driscoll to lead the ATF will return the bureau to its proper role as a law enforcement agency laser focused on combatting violent crime and illegal firearms trafficking, and to act as a non-partisan regulator of the firearm industry.”
Neither Patel nor Driscoll have released public statements regarding the leadership change.