Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll Appointed Acting Director of ATF Amid Leadership Shakeup
Daniel Driscoll will lead the ATF while maintaining his role as Army Secretary following the removal of FBI Director Kash Patel as acting ATF chief.
President Donald Trump hasn't made clear what his plans are for the ATF, which has long been a target for congressional Republicans.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to lead ATF, replacing FBI Director Kash Patel
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Unlike his predecessors in the White House, Trump has used his executive powers to double task a number of senior officials in temporary leadership roles.
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll tapped as acting head of ATF operations
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Justice Department officials have been considering a plan to combine the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration into a single agency.
Kash Patel has been replaced by Army Secretary Driscoll as acting head of the ATF, AP sources say
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The leadership change was first reported by NBC News.
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The abrupt change in leadership comes at a time when senior Justice Department officials are weighing whether to merge ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of an effort to cut costs.
FBI Director Kash Patel replaced as acting ATF boss, Army Secretary steps in
USA TODAY·24d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The ATF has become somewhat of a political football in the last several years, with the bureau being praised by Democrats for its efforts to address gun violence and conservatives viewing the bureau as an arm of anti-Second Amendment wing of the government.
Kash Patel Removed as Director of ATF
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Summary
Daniel Driscoll, the recently confirmed Army Secretary, has been appointed as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), replacing Kash Patel who led both the FBI and ATF briefly. The transition came unexpectedly, and while Driscoll will oversee ATF operations, he will continue his duties as Army Secretary. The circumstances of Patel's removal remain unclear, and there are ongoing discussions about potentially merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration to streamline operations. Critics are concerned about the implications of dual roles on agency effectiveness.
Perspectives
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has been appointed as the acting director of the ATF while maintaining his role as Army Secretary.
The leadership transition comes amidst speculation about potentially merging the ATF with the DEA to improve efficiency.
There is concern over whether Driscoll can effectively manage both roles given his lack of federal law enforcement experience.
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