FBI Director Kash Patel in Washington, D.C., in March. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
FBI chief Kash Patel has been replaced as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and replaced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, the ATF confirmed on Wednesday night.
The big picture: The Trump administration did not immediately give a reason for the unusual move to place a civilian military leader in charge of a federal law enforcement agency. Driscoll will continue to serve as Army secretary, per multiple reports.
Zoom in: “ATF can confirm the change in leadership to Acting Director Daniel Driscoll,” a spokesperson for the agency that’s responsible for enforcing the U.S. firearms laws.
- The spokesperson did not immediately return Axios’ request for comment in the evening on the reason behind the decision.
- A Justice Department official confirmed said Patel’s removal was not a reflection on his performance in the job, per Reuters, which first reported on the change.
Zoom out: Patel, who was still listed as acting ATF director on the agency’s site on Wednesday night, was sworn in for the role on Feb. 24 — three days after he became the FBI’s ninth director.
- Representatives for the White House, the Justice Department and the Army did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment in the evening.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
