U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has been tapped as the new acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), replacing FBI Director Kash Patel—who had been holding the reins at both federal law enforcement agencies in a rare dual role.
Driscoll, a battle-tested Army veteran and former cavalry scout with the 10th Mountain Division, now steps into the crosshairs of an agency that’s been used for decades to wage war on the Second Amendment.
Driscoll was notified of the appointment while traveling in Europe, DOJ confirmed.
According to Fox News, citing sources familiar with the change, Patel reportedly requested to be relieved from his temporary ATF duties in order to focus solely on his leadership at the FBI.
“It was never supposed to be a long-term thing. He was happy to serve, of course, but his job is the director of the FBI,” the source told the news outlet.
However, the liberal media is spinning its own narrative.
The far-left AP claimed Patel was quietly removed at the end of February, mere days after he was officially sworn in to assist the ATF. One unnamed source cited “personnel moves” as the reason—though no further details were given.
The Daily Beast, another far-left rag, claimed Patel simply “stopped showing up” at ATF facilities. It added that Patel hadn’t been seen at ATF offices for weeks, citing unnamed insiders.
NBC reported that employees at the bureau were left “shocked and confused” by Patel’s sudden removal.
“I’m now told the Patel was only the acting ATF Director for a very short time, perhaps just a day. And Driscoll was appointed the acting when Kash was removed. An official said it had nothing to do with job performance. Unclear why they never announced this,” according to Ken Dilanian of NBC News.
I’m now told the Patel was only the acting ATF Director for a very short time, perhaps just a day. And Driscoll was appointed the acting when Kash was removed. An official said it had nothing to do with job performance. Unclear why they never announced this. https://t.co/GrJg8tHQjP
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) April 9, 2025
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields downplayed the switch, calling Patel’s ATF role a “standard, short-term move” while awaiting Senate confirmations.
The DOJ has yet to issue an official statement on the personnel changes.
