Kash Patel, who recently assumed the role of FBI Director, has now been sworn in as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This development, confirmed by a source familiar with the matter, places Patel in charge of two major Justice Department agencies. The ceremony took place at ATF headquarters just days after his FBI appointment. However, it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will officially nominate him for the ATF role or if this is a temporary assignment. Both the Justice Department and the White House have yet to comment on the administration’s plans for the agency, which has long been at the center of political debates.
Now overseeing approximately 5,500 ATF employees, Patel is responsible for enforcing federal regulations related to firearms, explosives, and arson. The agency also handles gun dealer licensing, firearm tracing in criminal investigations, and intelligence analysis related to shootings.
Patel’s appointment has sparked political concerns, particularly among Democrats, who argue that his limited management experience and controversial past statements make him a contentious choice. Previously, he had referred to investigators examining Trump’s actions as “government gangsters.” Additionally, gun safety advocacy groups have voiced opposition to his leadership due to his support for Gun Owners of America, an organization advocating for the abolition of the ATF. The group has praised Patel, calling him a defender of Second Amendment rights and a strong opponent of government overreach.
At a past Gun Owners of America event, Patel expressed his commitment to their cause, vowing to combat what he described as bureaucratic infringements on constitutional freedoms. His appointment follows a recent decision by Attorney General Pam Bondi to dismiss Pamela Hicks, the ATF’s chief counsel. Bondi justified the move by accusing the agency of unfairly targeting gun owners. Hicks, who had served in the Justice Department for over two decades, later described her tenure at the ATF as the pinnacle of her legal career.
Patel’s leadership at both the FBI and ATF is expected to shape the future of federal firearm regulations and law enforcement policies in the coming months.
