Kash Patel removed as acting ATF director, confirm U.S. officials

FBI Director Kash Patel removed as acting ATF director, replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, sparking concerns over leadership.

FBI Director Kash Patel was removed from his role as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, U.S. officials confirmed on Wednesday (April 9, 2025).

As of Wednesday (April 9, 2025) afternoon, Mr. Patel’s photo and title of acting director was still listed on the ATF’s website.

Mr. Patel was sworn in as acting ATF leader on February 24, three days after he was sworn in as FBI director, a role he continues to hold. It was unusual for one person to be tapped to lead two major Justice Department units at the same time.

A Justice Department official confirmed Mr. Patel’s removal and said it had nothing to do with his job performance. The official did not say why Mr. Patel was removed.

U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is now serving as acting ATF director, the Justice Department official said. Three other sources familiar with the decision said Mr. Driscoll will continue to hold both roles.

It remains unclear when Mr. Patel was formally removed from his post or when Mr. Driscoll was notified of his new responsibility. Mr. Driscoll was traveling on Wednesday (April 9, 2025), and was in the Middle East earlier this week.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term has featured multiple whipsaw policy reversals, including the firing and rehiring of large numbers of federal workers and on Wednesday (April 9, 2025) the temporary lowering of tariffs on many countries, less than 24 hours after steep new taxes on imports kicked in.