FBI Director Kash Patel Will Also Be Named Acting Head of ATF
New FBI Director Kash Patel is expected to be named the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a Justice Department official said Saturday. Patel could be sworn in next week, the official said, putting Patel in charge of two of the Justice Department’s largest agencies in an unusual arrangement that raises questions about the future of the bureau that has long drawn the ire of conservatives. The move comes days after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the ATF's top lawyer, citing concerns over the agency's role in regulating firearms.
- This unprecedented dual leadership could signal a significant shift in the Justice Department's approach to enforcing gun regulations and laws, potentially undermining the Biden administration's efforts to crack down on gun violence.
- How will Kash Patel's history of advocating for Second Amendment rights influence his decisions as both FBI Director and Acting ATF Head, and what implications will this have for gun safety policies nationwide?