U.S. officials deny that Kash Patel is acting director of ATF. This change in leadership reflects a larger trend of change at the agency as it continues to evolve. His departure signals a tremendous turnover in leadership just months after his appointment. Patel, who’d been in this role since February 24, has been replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Patel’s selection to be acting ATF director blindsided many career insiders across PDT and ATF as a whole. Rumors have circulated that President Trump failed to brief him on this installation, ahead of the decision. …[T]his omission communicates a troubling lack of transparency. He was first confirmed to the ATF a few weeks after assuming the role of FBI director on February 21. On that day, however, he took a rather symbolic picture with Sebastian Gorka, the White House’s counterterrorism adviser.
Background of Kash Patel’s Appointment
Kash Patel’s brief time at the ATF has received some widespread notoriety because of the oddity of the situation. He formally assumed the post on February 24. Since his appointment, he’s largely failed to check his own toes from trampling flowers from the ATF headquarters. The CEO on the move Reports indicate that he spent less than one hour at headquarters on the day he was originally sworn in. There, he directed the troops to prioritize arresting the members of violent gangs.
Despite his short time in office, Patel’s photo and title as acting director remained visible on the ATF’s website as of Wednesday afternoon. The manner of his selection was surprising, and many agency insiders shared their alarm at the decision.
“Oh, by the way, meet the new Director of the ATF. Yes. Seriously.” – Sebastian Gorka
Transition to New Leadership
Daniel Driscoll’s appointment as acting director follows Patel’s abrupt removal. This move raises serious concerns about the climate of leadership within ATF. As the nation’s primary regulator of firearms and explosives, the agency has a critical role to play in our gun safety laws.
Patel is still acting FBI director and concurrently leads the two other largest Justice Department units. This kind of internal exclusion is highly atypical in federal government policy-making. Patel’s removal from the ATF was not a reflection of his performance in the job, a Justice Department official said.
“The fact they’re getting kicked around like a soccer ball is to me just incredibly disrespectful.” – Peter Forcelli
Reactions and Implications
This is not what law enforcement and regulatory communities were expecting to hear, as the reaction to Patel’s removal has largely been positive from stakeholder groups. Supporters of the changes, however, view them as an important first step to reform. Some people are concerned that the repeated changes in leadership may negatively impact agency morale and effectiveness.
Peter Forcelli, a former agent with extensive experience in the field, remarked on the troubling situation surrounding the ATF’s leadership changes. He said it is painful to see what the agency is going through for the people that are devoted to its mission.
“To see them in the situation they’re in now is just really heartbreaking.” – Peter Forcelli
They continue to move the needle and advance common sense reforms that honor our Second Amendment and protect us through intelligent, effective enforcement.
“indicative of his resolve to bring reform to ATF and protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.” – NSSF
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