WASHINGTON — Kash Patel was officially sworn in on Monday as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), adding to his recent appointment as the director of the FBI. This transition took place at ATF headquarters and was confirmed by a source who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the situation.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump plans to formally nominate Patel for the ATF position or what the broader intentions of the administration are regarding the agency, which has frequently come under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers. Requests for comments from officials within the Justice Department and the White House were not immediately answered.
The ATF, which employs approximately 5,500 staff members, plays a crucial role in enforcing federal laws that govern firearms, explosives, and arson. Its responsibilities include licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing firearms linked to criminal activity, and analyzing intelligence related to shooting incidents.
Democrats have expressed concerns over Patel’s appointment as FBI director due to his limited management experience when compared to previous directors and a history of provocative statements, including remarks labeling investigators who investigated Trump as “government gangsters.” These controversies have contributed to the apprehension surrounding his leadership capabilities.
Patel’s appointment as the acting director of ATF follows the dismissal of the bureau’s top legal advisor, Pamela Hicks, by Attorney General Pam Bondi just last week. Bondi stated during a Fox News interview that Hicks was removed due to the agency’s alleged focus on “targeting gun owners.” Hicks, who dedicated over 20 years to serving as a lawyer for the Justice Department, expressed on social media that her role as ATF chief counsel was the pinnacle of her professional journey.
