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Leadership Change at ATF: FBI Director Removed, Army Secretary Takes Over
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a surprising move, FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from his position as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He has been succeeded by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, as reported by several sources familiar with the situation.
Details surrounding Patel’s abrupt removal remain unclear. According to an insider who spoke anonymously, Patel’s tenure as acting director ended towards the end of February, mere days after he took the oath as FBI chief. This leadership change was not made public at the time.
Despite his removal, Patel’s name is still listed on the ATF’s official website, where he is referenced as the acting director in a press release dated April 7. Senior leaders within the agency were only informed of the change this Wednesday, indicating a lack of communication regarding leadership transitions.
Driscoll, who is 38 years old and hails from North Carolina, will retain his post as Army Secretary. He has previously served as an adviser to Vice President JD Vance, a connection formed during their time at Yale Law School. Driscoll has a military background, serving in the Army for under four years before leaving at the rank of first lieutenant.
In a notable political endeavor, Driscoll also competed in the Republican primary for a congressional seat in North Carolina in 2020, where he garnered approximately 8% of the votes in a competitive race.
Patel’s appointment as acting ATF director was unusual, as he held both this role and his position at the FBI simultaneously. This dual leadership placed him over two significant Justice Department agencies that have distinct yet overlapping responsibilities.
Meanwhile, deliberations are ongoing within the Justice Department regarding a potential consolidation of the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into a unified agency. This approach aims to streamline resources, improve case coordination, and enhance regulatory functions, as outlined in a memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
The ATF focuses on investigating violent crime, firearm trafficking, arson, and bombings, while also providing crucial support in tracing firearms linked to crimes and analyzing intelligence regarding shooting incidents. Conversely, the DEA is tasked with enforcing drug-related laws, combatting drug networks, and curbing the illegal distribution of substances such as fentanyl.
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Source
www.yahoo.com