The practice by the Trump administration of changing out the leadership at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They followed removing interim director Kash Patel with the appointment of Dan Driscoll, who is now acting Secretary of the Army. This unexpected decision marks a notable shift from the traditional leadership structure of the ATF, which has typically been headed by its own dedicated director.
Controversial and highly partisan as he was, Kash Patel had been doing as much for the FBI and the ATF for several months. His removal signifies a broader re-evaluation of the agency’s role and operations within the context of the administration’s approach to gun laws. Dan Driscoll’s appointment indicates a new direction of shrinking the agency’s size and scope. Historically, the agency has operated with little oversight or accountability, more concerned with enforcing national gun laws.
The announcement comes just as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is contemplating such a move herself. Beyond the present, she hopes to roll back the Biden administration’s “zero tolerance” policy. This policy establishes hard-hitting accountability measures for gun dealers that willfully violate federal laws over and over again. These impacts may even lead to the loss of their licenses. Pro-gun groups are increasing the heat on the Trump administration. For years they have perceived the ATF’s enforcement priorities as antagonistic.
The ATF would be under the Secretary of the Army. If this decision is implemented carefully, it can result in a valuable consolidation of resources that could change the way this agency is seen and utilized within the federal government. The Trump administration has been openly discussing proposals to disband the ATF entirely or combine it with the DEA. This conversation takes place just as the DEA itself is trying to wrestle with the similar issues of their own limited funding and resources.
The ATF’s recent leadership shakeup might be a sign of a more permanent trend. One in which federal law enforcement limits agency resources. ATF agents have been redirected to support enforcement efforts related to Trump’s immigration policies. This new direction makes it much more difficult for them to prioritize regulating the industry that produces firearms.
The leadership change comes at an important turning point for the ATF, as well – what does the future hold for the agency under Driscoll’s stewardship? As he steps into the role, all stakeholders will be looking to see if he does this. They’re particularly interested in how his leadership will affect agency operations and policies on regulating firearms in the United States.