WASHINGTON — Kash Patel, recently appointed as the new FBI Director, is anticipated to take on the role of acting leader of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as disclosed by a source from the Justice Department on Saturday.
Patel may be sworn in next week. This unique arrangement could position him at the helm of two significant branches within the Justice Department, raising speculation regarding the future direction of the ATF, which has historically faced criticism from conservatives.
The source, who requested anonymity to provide details prior to an official announcement, noted that White House representatives had not provided comments by Saturday evening.
After receiving Senate approval, Patel was sworn in as FBI director on Friday, despite Democratic apprehensions regarding his close ties to former President Trump and his proposed comprehensive reforms for the FBI.
The ATF operates independently with approximately 5,500 staff members and is tasked with enforcing laws related to firearms, explosives, and arson. Key responsibilities include managing federal firearms licenses, tracing weapons involved in crimes, and conducting intelligence analysis in shooting cases.
ABC News first broke the story of Patel’s potential dual role.
This development follows the recent dismissal of the ATF’s chief legal officer by Attorney General Pam Bondi. In a Fox News segment aired on Friday, Bondi explained her decision to terminate chief counsel Pamela Hicks, citing the agency’s supposed focus on targeting gun owners. Hicks, who dedicated over two decades to the Justice Department, recognized her position as the “highest honor” of her professional journey in a social media statement.
Conservative voices have long criticized the ATF regarding its approach to gun regulation, even suggesting the agency should be disbanded. During the Biden administration, the ATF implemented new measures designed to combat ghost guns and mandated that many more firearms dealers conduct background checks for purchasers at gun shows or similar venues outside traditional retail settings.
Earlier this month, President Trump issued an executive order instructing the attorney general to examine all actions related to firearms taken by the Biden administration, with a goal of evaluating any potential violations of citizens’ Second Amendment rights.
Gun safety advocates have expressed concern about Patel’s leadership at the FBI. The gun control organization Brady labeled him a “known gun rights extremist.” Conversely, Gun Owners of America, a prominent gun rights organization, deemed his confirmation as FBI director as “a major victory” for gun owners and those championing constitutional rights nationwide.
The last individual confirmed in the role of ATF director was Steve Dettelbach, a former federal prosecutor who led the agency from July 2022 until last month. He marked the first confirmed director in the agency since 2015, as both Republican and Democratic administrations have struggled to push nominees through a contentious political landscape.
