FBI Director Kash Patel has been removed from the post of Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has been appointed in his place.
Driscoll will continue to serve as Army secretary while also overseeing the ATF, a branch of the US Justice Department, sources said. Patel was sworn in as acting ATF director in late February, just days after she was sworn in as FBI director.
A Justice Department official confirmed the change. It was not clear when Patel was removed from his position. As of Wednesday afternoon, Patel’s photo and title of acting director were still listed on the ATF website.
The sudden change in leadership comes at a time when senior Justice Department officials are considering whether to merge the ATF with the US Drug Enforcement Directorate in an effort to cut costs.