Kash Patel has been removed from his position as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by the Trump administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. He has been replaced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
The exact timing of Patel’s removal remains unclear. As of Wednesday, his photo and title were still displayed on the ATF’s website. However, a defense official confirmed to The Hill that Driscoll is now serving as the acting ATF director, while also retaining his position as Secretary of the Army.
Patel’s brief tenure as acting ATF director began in late February, shortly after he was sworn in as FBI Director. The ATF, a domestic law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ), is responsible for investigating and preventing federal offenses related to explosives, firearms, arson, and illegal trafficking of tobacco and alcohol.
The move comes after a group of 14 House Democrats, members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, sent a letter to President Trump on March 4th, calling for Patel’s removal. They argued that Patel lacked the necessary experience in crime-fighting, responding to mass shootings, and confronting domestic terrorism.
“At a time when gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, it is unconscionable that someone without experience fighting crime, responding to mass shootings or confronting domestic terrorism has been named as ATF’s Acting Director,” the Democrats wrote.
Patel’s confirmation as FBI Director by the Senate occurred on February 20th. His predecessor at the ATF, Steve Dettelbach, resigned in January, marking the end of his tenure as the agency’s first permanent head since 2015.
Dan Driscoll, who was appointed by Trump to lead the Army in December of the previous year, was confirmed as Army Secretary in late February. Driscoll’s background includes three and a half years of service in the Army and a law degree from Yale Law School, where he met Vice President JD Vance.
The FBI declined to comment on the change in leadership at the ATF.
