Kash Patel Quietly Removed as Acting ATF Chief

Kash Patel Quietly Removed as Acting ATF Chief \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ FBI Director Kash Patel was quietly removed as acting head of the ATF weeks after taking on the role. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has taken over, though the move was not publicly announced until recently. The shift comes as the Justice Department explores merging the ATF and DEA.

ATF Leadership Shakeup – Quick Looks

• FBI Director Kash Patel was quietly removed from his acting role as ATF chief.
• Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has taken over leadership of the ATF.
• Patel’s removal occurred in late February but was not publicly announced.
• Patel was still listed as director on the ATF website as of April 7.
• Senior ATF officials were informed of the leadership change only recently.
• Driscoll, 38, is a former Army first lieutenant and political adviser.
• DOJ is considering merging ATF and DEA for operational efficiency.
• The ATF and DEA have distinct missions but often collaborate on cases.

Deep Look

In a surprising and quietly executed shakeup within the U.S. Justice Department, Kash Patel has been removed from his position as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—a development that went unannounced for weeks. Patel, who also serves as FBI Director, was tapped to lead the ATF in February under an unusual arrangement that gave him control over two of the department’s most powerful law enforcement agencies. However, according to three individuals familiar with the situation, Patel was quietly removed from the ATF post at the end of February, just days after being sworn in.

The leadership change went undisclosed to the public, and Patel was still listed as acting ATF director as recently as April 7, appearing in official press materials and on the agency’s website. Internal confusion followed: senior ATF officials were only informed of the change on Wednesday, weeks after it occurred, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the personnel matter.

Daniel Driscoll, the current Secretary of the Army, has been appointed as the new acting head of the ATF, while retaining his position at the Pentagon. A defense official confirmed that Driscoll will simultaneously serve as Army Secretary and ATF director for the foreseeable future—a highly unusual dual-role arrangement that further complicates the Justice Department’s current leadership structure.

Driscoll, 38, brings a mixed résumé to the role. A North Carolina native, he served less than four years in the U.S. Army and left the service at the rank of first lieutenant. He later attended Yale Law School, where he formed a lasting professional relationship with now-Vice President JD Vance. Driscoll went on to serve as a political and legal adviser to Vance and made a brief foray into electoral politics himself, running unsuccessfully for a congressional seat in North Carolina in 2020. He garnered just 8% of the vote in a crowded Republican primary but remained a rising figure in conservative policy circles.

The sudden leadership reshuffle comes amid internal discussions within the Justice Department about a potential consolidation of the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—two agencies that often collaborate in the field but operate under separate mandates, hierarchies, and regulatory structures. The merger is being considered as part of a broader DOJ strategy to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies, especially in areas where criminal enforcement overlaps, such as firearms and narcotics trafficking.

A recent internal memo by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche outlines the rationale for the possible merger, stating that combining the agencies could help “achieve efficiencies in resources, case deconfliction, and regulatory efforts.” While the proposal has not been finalized, it has triggered concerns among rank-and-file agents and senior officials alike, many of whom fear the blending of missions could compromise the effectiveness of both agencies.

The ATF specializes in federal gun law enforcement, violent crime investigations, arson and bombing cases, and the regulation of firearms and explosives. It plays a key role in tracing firearms used in crimes and provides intelligence support in shooting investigations. On the other hand, the DEA is focused primarily on enforcing controlled substance laws, dismantling drug trafficking organizations, and addressing the nation’s fentanyl and opioid crises.

The two agencies do work closely—particularly in organized crime investigations where drugs and firearms are intertwined—but their cultures, operational goals, and regulatory functions differ significantly. Merging them into a single body would represent a profound structural change in federal law enforcement, and could face pushback from law enforcement unions, legal experts, and congressional oversight committees.

Patel’s removal also raises questions about transparency and governance within the Justice Department. His brief tenure at ATF coincided with an ongoing expansion of his influence across DOJ operations, and critics have expressed concern that his dual leadership of both the FBI and ATF blurred lines of authority and undermined institutional checks and balances.

Some legal analysts have pointed out that Patel’s simultaneous control over two sprawling agencies posed ethical and logistical concerns, particularly as both the FBI and ATF frequently interact in field investigations, sometimes with overlapping jurisdictions. While such dual roles are not technically prohibited, they are virtually unheard of and present challenges in coordination, accountability, and resource management.

Driscoll’s sudden elevation has added more fuel to the fire. While supporters cite his military service and legal experience as assets, others point out his limited federal law enforcement background. His lack of prior experience with the ATF or its core mission raises questions about whether he’s equipped to steer the agency at a time of significant internal transition and external political scrutiny.

There has been no official comment from the White House or the Justice Department regarding the rationale behind Patel’s removal or Driscoll’s appointment. Similarly, no timeline has been provided for how long Driscoll will serve in the acting capacity, nor has there been clarification on whether a permanent ATF director will be nominated.

Complicating the picture is the political climate surrounding federal gun enforcement. The ATF has become a lightning rod in recent years amid increasing national attention on gun violence, mass shootings, and Second Amendment debates. With growing pressure on federal authorities to act, the direction and leadership of the ATF could significantly influence upcoming regulatory decisions and enforcement priorities.

As of now, Driscoll is tasked with leading the ATF through what may be one of its most transformative and controversial periods. Whether his leadership will help stabilize the agency or deepen institutional uncertainty remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the stakes are high, and all eyes are on the Justice Department as it navigates this latest twist in its evolving structure.

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