Kash Patel Ousted as Acting ATF Director, Replaced by Army Secretary, Reuters Reports

Washington, D.C. – FBI Director Kash Patel has been quietly removed from his role as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll stepping in to replace him, according to Reuters. The news, reported on April 9, 2025, cites four sources familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Patel, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, had been juggling dual responsibilities as head of both the FBI and the ATF since February, following his confirmation as FBI director and subsequent appointment to the acting ATF position. His tenure at the ATF, however, has been marked by controversy and criticism, with reports suggesting he was largely absent from the agency’s headquarters after an initial visit. This apparent lack of engagement drew scrutiny from both supporters and detractors, raising questions about his ability to manage two critical law enforcement agencies simultaneously.

Reuters claims, citing its sources, that the decision to replace Patel with Driscoll reflects a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to the ATF, an agency long targeted by Republicans for its role in enforcing federal gun laws. Driscoll, a seasoned military official, brings a different perspective to the role, though the reasons behind Patel’s removal remain unclear. Neither the Justice Department nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment, leaving the motives and implications of this shakeup open to speculation.

Patel’s brief stint at the ATF was not without ambition. He had proposed significant restructuring, including plans to reassign ATF agents to the FBI, a move that sparked debate about the agency’s future. However, those plans appear to have stalled with his exit. Driscoll’s appointment now places the ATF under new leadership, potentially signaling a pivot in policy or priorities as the administration navigates its broader agenda.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding the ATF’s mission, with gun rights advocates cheering Patel’s initial appointment and gun safety groups expressing alarm. As of now, it remains to be seen how Driscoll will steer the agency—or whether this change hints at deeper shifts within the Trump administration’s law enforcement strategy.

Source: Reuters, "Kash Patel removed as acting ATF director, replaced by Army Secretary, sources say," April 9, 2025. 17GEN4.com