In a surprising development, FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from his temporary role as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and replaced by US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
According to NBC News, Patel was not “seen inside an ATF facility for weeks”, following which he was removed.
Patel, who continues to serve as FBI director, held the ATF position briefly after being sworn in on February 24. His dual leadership over two major Justice Department agencies had raised eyebrows.
The Justice Department did not publicly announce the change, and Patel’s image remained on the ATF website as of Wednesday. A department official said the move was unrelated to his job performance but gave no further explanation.
Driscoll, currently Army Secretary, will now serve concurrently as acting ATF director. Sources confirmed he was traveling and had recently been in the Middle East when the leadership shift occurred.
The decision comes amid President Trump’s second-term shake-ups, including rapid policy reversals and reassignments across federal agencies. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a task force focused on protecting Second Amendment rights, with the ATF playing a key role.
Patel’s appointment had stunned agency veterans, many of whom expressed concern over leadership instability. The ATF’s weakened position, they warned, could compromise its ability to regulate firearms and combat gun-related violence effectively.
(With Reuters inputs)