FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from his concurrent role as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll. This change, which occurred in late February, was not publicly announced at the time, and the reasons for Patel’s removal remain unclear. Driscoll will continue to serve as Army Secretary while leading the ATF, an arrangement that has raised questions due to the traditional separation between military and law enforcement functions.
The Justice Department is reportedly considering merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to enhance efficiency and coordination in overlapping law enforcement areas. This potential restructuring aligns with broader efforts to streamline federal law enforcement agencies.
This leadership change comes amid significant restructuring within the Army, including proposed civilian job cuts and budget reductions. The Army is responding to directives to reduce its budget and prioritize new Pentagon initiatives, which may result in the withdrawal of thousands of servicemembers from Europe.
