Despite just recently clearing the Senate confirmation process to take over the FBI, reports indicate Kash Patel could soon be put in charge of another federal agency — at least on an interim basis.
Multiple outlets began citing sources who pointed to Patel as President Donald Trump’s pick to take over as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
As The Hill elaborated:
Despite controversy over qualifications, the Senate recently confirmed Patel to serve as the head of the FBI in a 51-49 vote.
The New York native has a history of employment with the Justice Department, and served for three years as a trial attorney before moving on to positions at the National Security Council, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Department of Defense.
In many of those roles, he worked alongside President Trump’s closest allies including Ric Grennell, who now serves as Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, in addition to Devin Nunes, the appointed chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and CEO of Trump’s Truth Social platform.
Former ATF Director Steve Dettelbach resigned from the post in January and was the first permanent head of the agency since 2015.
The ATF works to divert the trafficking of illegal weapons and substances, including some of which are smuggled into the country through the Southern border.
Patel was a popular choice to lead the FBI among many of Trump’s supporters who believe he will bring an end to the perceived corruption and political biases inherent within the Department of Justice:
As for his expected new role at the helm of the ATF, here’s what NBC News reported:
Patel’s appointment could be made official as soon as next week with a swearing-in ceremony, the sources said.
The ATF, a law enforcement agency housed in the Department of Justice, is responsible for enforcing federal laws regarding the illegal use, sale and trafficking of firearms and explosives, as well as the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products.
It has been a frequent target of Republican lawmakers who perceive the agency as infringing on the Second Amendment, particularly as former President Joe Biden empowered it to regulate the sale of “ghost guns” and close a loophole that eased the process of buying a firearm.
Trump earlier this month signed an executive order to “halt existing policies designed to curtail the clear right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.” A White House release on that order accused the ATF of unfairly targeting gun owners.
“The Biden Administration has flagrantly sought to eliminate Second Amendment rights. Among other infringements, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was weaponized to end the livelihoods of law-abiding small business owners in an effort to limit Americans’ ability to acquire firearms,” the White House release stated.
Here’s a full clip of his first post-confirmation speech:
VIDEO
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!