On February 23, WASHINGTON—Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel is anticipated to be designated as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as confirmed by a Justice Department official.
Patel’s swearing-in could take place as early as next week, which would place him in charge of two significant agencies within the Justice Department, a situation that raises questions about the agency’s future—a bureau that has often faced criticism from conservative circles.
This information was shared by a Justice Department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of the public announcement. The White House has yet to respond to requests for immediate comment following this development.
Patel, a staunch ally of Trump, was confirmed as FBI director last Friday, receiving Senate approval despite concerns voiced by Democrats regarding his intentions to radically reform the FBI.
The ATF, which has around 5,500 employees, operates independently and is tasked with enforcing regulations related to firearms, explosives, and arson. Its responsibilities include licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing firearms used in crimes, and analyzing intelligence in shooting investigations.
ABC News was the first to report on this development.
The news arrives shortly after Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed the ATF’s chief legal counsel. In an interview with Fox News, Bondi stated that she terminated Pamela Hicks because the agency was perceived as “targeting gun owners.” Hicks, who dedicated over two decades to the Justice Department, expressed that her role at the ATF was the “highest honor” of her career in a social media statement.
Conservatives have historically criticized the ATF for its regulatory role concerning firearms and have suggested disbanding the agency. Under the Biden administration, the ATF introduced new regulations aimed at controlling the use of ghost guns and mandated that thousands of additional firearms dealers conduct background checks on purchasers at gun shows and similar venues.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the attorney general to evaluate all actions by the Biden administration regarding firearms “to assess any ongoing violations of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens.”
Gun safety advocates have expressed concern over Patel’s appointment to oversee the FBI, with the gun control group Brady labeling him as a “known gun rights extremist.” Conversely, the gun rights organization Gun Owners of America hailed his confirmation as FBI director as a significant triumph for gun owners and advocates of constitutional rights nationwide.
The last confirmed ATF director was Steve Dettelbach, a former federal prosecutor, who held the position from July 2022 until last month. His confirmation marked the first successful appointment since 2015, as attempts under both Republican and Democratic administrations had failed due to the politically contentious approval process. (AP)
