FBI director Kash Patel “will be tapped to run the ATF,” according to FOX News, which based the report on two unnamed sources.
The Associated Press reported that Patel will be “acting director” of the ATF, crediting the information to a “Justice Department official.”
The AP added:
The Justice Department official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the move before it’s announced publicly. White House officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday evening.
The ATF went around Congress to introduce numerous regulatory gun controls during Biden’s presidency. Those controls included so-called “ghost gun” regulations, an “engaged in the business” rule which was intended to expand background checks, and a ban on stabilizer braces for AR-pistols.
These regulatory actions drew the ire of American gun owners and Congressional Republicans, with Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) emerging in November 2024 will calls to abolish the agency. As recently as February 22, Burlison used a post to X to highlight his bill, H.R. 221, which is designed to “abolish the ATF.”
He added, “Eliminate this redundant agency that consistently violates Second Amendment rights.”
Steven Dettelbach, the director who oversaw the ATF’s implementation of regulatory gun controls under Biden, resigned his office effective January 18, 2025, ensuring he would leave office two days before Trump was sworn in.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, a Pulsar Night Vision pro-staffer, and the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and has a Ph.D. in Military History. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange. Reach him directly: awrhawkins@breitbart.com