WASHINGTON − U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has replaced FBI Director Kash Patel as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of several law enforcement agencies under the umbrella of the Justice Department, three U.S. officials confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday.
Two Defense officials said Driscoll is now heading the ATF while remaining as Army secretary. A Justice Department official also confirmed Driscoll has replaced Patel but did not comment on the reasons for the personnel move. They were granted anonymity to discuss personnel matters.
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Patel, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was sworn in as ATF’s acting director in late February, just a few days after he was also sworn in as FBI Director. Reuters first reported the news.
It was not immediately clear when Patel was removed from the role. As of 4 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday afternoon, Patel’s photo and title of acting director was still listed on the ATF’s website.
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.
No federal law enforcement experience
Driscoll, the 26th Army Secretary, was sworn in on Feb. 25 following his nomination by Trump and confirmation by the Senate.
Driscoll was commissioned in 2007 as an Armor Officer and he led a cavalry platoon in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division that deployed to Baghdad in 2009, according to his Army bio.
After leaving active duty, Driscoll attended Yale Law School and worked in Yale’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. And while he held leadership roles in investment banking, private equity, and business operations, Driscoll’s bio lists no federal law enforcement experience.
As head of the ATF, Driscoll will oversee an agency with broad powers to enforce laws and regulations dealing with guns, explosives and tobacco products.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kash Patel out as acting ATF director, replaced by Army Secretary
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