Indian-origin FBI director Kash Patel has been removed as the acting head of the Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (ATF), weeks after being given the post alongside his role as FBI director. The White House confirmed army secretary Daniel Driscoll as his replacement.
His removal, though confirmed by the Justice Department, was not officially announced. According to sources cited by the Associated Press, Patel was ousted in late February, only days after taking the oath of office.
In fact, as late as April, Patel was still listed as the ATF’s acting director on the agency’s website and featured in press releases. It wasn’t until this week that senior ATF officials were informed of the leadership change, raising eyebrows over the opaque handling of the matter.
Army secretary Daniel Driscoll has now taken over as acting head of the ATF, while continuing in his existing role blurring the traditional line between defence and domestic law enforcement.
The ATF handles key responsibilities such as investigating violent crime, gun trafficking, arson, and bombings, and plays a technical role in tracing firearms used in crimes.
Why was Kash Patel removed?
- While it was not immediately clear why Patel was removed, a justice department official said his removal was not due to poor performance, and that it was a standard interim arrangement until senate-confirmed appointments are made. Spokesperson Harrison Fields said Patel’s time at the ATF was temporary and that he is now “excelling” at the FBI.
- Patel was heading both the FBI and ATF, two large and complex agencies. Reports suggest the dual responsibility may have been unmanageable.
- They say Patel had only visited ATF headquarters once and was mostly absent from agency matters during his short tenure.
- His sudden appointment in February reportedly shocked career staff at ATF. Though he encouraged the agency to focus on violent gang crimes, insiders told Reuters his engagement stopped there.