Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll Replaces Kash Patel as Acting ATF Director Amid DOJ Shake-Up
Three U.S. officials confirmed to USA TODAY that U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has taken over as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), one of the key federal law enforcement agencies under the Department of Justice.
Driscoll, who continues to serve as Army Secretary, now assumes dual roles. Two Defense Department sources confirmed the unusual appointment. A Justice Department spokesperson acknowledged the transition but declined to comment on the reason behind Kash Patel’s sudden replacement.
Patel, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, was sworn in as ATF’s acting director in late February—just days after taking his oath as FBI Director. His appointment to lead two high-profile federal law enforcement agencies raised eyebrows across Washington. The leadership change at ATF was first reported by Reuters.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Patel’s photo and title were still listed on the ATF’s official website, and no official end date for his role has been disclosed.
The abrupt shift comes amid internal discussions at the Justice Department about a potential merger between the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—a cost-saving move that could consolidate enforcement responsibilities under one agency.
Driscoll, who became the 26th Secretary of the Army on February 25 after Senate confirmation, has no background in federal law enforcement. According to his official bio, Driscoll commissioned as an armor officer in 2007 and led a cavalry unit with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division during a 2009 deployment to Baghdad. After leaving active duty, he earned a law degree from Yale and worked in private equity, investment banking, and corporate operations—though none of his previous roles involved law enforcement.
Despite Patel’s exit from the ATF, he has made a noticeable impact in his brief time at the FBI. Under his leadership, the bureau has seen a historic surge in new agent applications. In March alone, the FBI received 5,577 applications—more than any month since April 2016. This follows a trend of rising interest: in 2023, the bureau averaged 2,797 monthly applications, while 2024’s monthly average rose to 3,383.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson credited the surge to Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s efforts to restore public trust and boost recruitment. “These record early returns suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction,” he told Fox News Digital.
Patel’s advisor, Erica Knight, said the numbers reflect Americans’ renewed confidence in his vision. “Kash is committed to rebuilding a stronger, more trustworthy FBI that protects our communities,” Knight said.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Patel cited polling data showing that only 40% of Americans view the FBI favorably—an erosion of public trust he vowed to reverse. “The FBI’s effectiveness depends on public cooperation,” Patel said. “This has to change.”
Patel and Bongino have emphasized officer morale and aggressive recruitment, summarized in a recent FBI video campaign featuring Patel in the field and ending with the slogan: “A Renewed Mission. A Stronger Future.”
