In an unexpected twist for Second Amendment supporters, Kash Patel, who recently took the helm of the ATF, has been removed from his position by President Trump.
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This sudden change raises questions about Patel’s commitment and the priorities of the agency.
Specifically, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) experienced a significant leadership change on April 9, 2025.
Kash Patel, appointed Acting Director by President Trump shortly after becoming FBI Director on February 24, was removed from his role.
Sources say Patel was let go after failing to appear at ATF facilities.
Daniel Driscoll, the current U.S. Army Secretary, is stepping in to fill the role.
Driscoll, Senate-confirmed for his Army Secretary position, will now serve as both the Army Secretary and the Acting Director of the ATF, The Daily Beast reports.
The Department of Justice confirmed the leadership transition but emphasized that it wasn’t related to Patel’s performance.
Insider reports suggest his demanding workload with the FBI played a role in his removal.
ATF employees were reportedly “shocked and confused” by the sudden change.
“Kash Patel has been quietly removed as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) after he stopped showing up to facilities there, according to a report,” NBC News informs.
Interestingly, this change occurs amid potential discussions of merging the ATF with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to cut costs.
The leadership shuffle has been described as “unusual” by New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush.
The announcement, made on a Wednesday, caught many, including Driscoll, off guard.
He reportedly wasn’t informed about assuming his new role until just before the official announcement.
Despite this, the transition seems in line with government cost-cutting measures.
“The FBI director Kash Patel was quietly removed as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and replaced by the US army secretary Daniel Driscoll, four people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday,” reports The Guardian.
With a new director at the helm, the ATF’s approach to gun regulations and enforcement may pivot.
Supporters of conservative, pro-gun policies will be watching closely to see how Driscoll balances his dual roles and addresses challenges within the agency.
FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly been quietly removed as the acting ATF director after he stopped showing up to work.https://t.co/KgnzptV5pc
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 9, 2025
