Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll Takes Over as Acting Head of ATF, Replacing Kash Patel
Three U.S. officials confirmed to USA TODAY that U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has stepped into the role of acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), a key law enforcement agency under the Justice Department.
Driscoll, who continues to serve as Army secretary, has now assumed leadership of the ATF, according to two Defense sources. A Justice Department spokesperson acknowledged the transition but declined to explain the reasons behind replacing Kash Patel, the former acting ATF director.
Patel, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, was sworn in as acting ATF director in late February—just days after taking the oath as FBI director. The move was first reported by Reuters.
At this time, it remains unclear when Patel will officially be removed from his post. His photo and title as interim director were still displayed on the ATF website as of Wednesday afternoon.
The swift leadership change comes amid senior Justice Department discussions about potentially merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to streamline operations and cut costs.
About Daniel Driscoll
Driscoll was sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the Army on February 25, following his nomination and Senate confirmation under the Trump administration. His military background includes commanding a cavalry unit deployed to Baghdad in 2009 as part of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. He was commissioned as an armor commander in 2007.
After his active duty, Driscoll attended Yale Law School and worked with the Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Though he has held senior roles in corporate operations, private equity, and investment banking, Driscoll’s biography does not reference prior federal law enforcement experience.
ATF’s Expansive Role
The ATF enforces critical laws related to firearms, explosives, and tobacco products. Driscoll now leads this vital agency at a time of significant organizational shifts and budget considerations.
Patel’s FBI Tenure: Boosting Recruitment and Restoring Trust
While Patel’s time at the ATF was brief, his leadership at the FBI has generated notable momentum. During Patel’s first month in charge, the bureau received a record-breaking surge of applications from prospective agents—far exceeding numbers from previous years.
Fox News Digital reports that 5,577 applications were submitted in March alone—the highest monthly figure since at least 2016, when 5,283 applications were received. Monthly averages have doubled since 2016, with 2023 seeing 2,797 applications per month and 2024 rising to 3,383.
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson praised Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino’s focus on “restoring trust in federal law enforcement” and boosting recruitment, noting these record numbers signal the “new FBI is heading in the right direction.”
Since January, the FBI has received over 10,000 agent applications, with January alone bringing in 4,143—marking the first time the bureau has seen such interest since August 2020.
Why the Spike?
Erica Knight, an advisor to Patel, told Fox News Digital that this surge reflects public confidence in Patel’s mission to rebuild the FBI’s integrity and effectiveness. “His leadership is trusted by Americans to restore the FBI and ensure the safety of our communities,” she said.
Patel has been vocal about addressing the FBI’s reputation issues. During his Senate confirmation, he cited polling data showing only 40% of Americans viewed the FBI favorably, calling this “erosion of trust” a serious threat to crime-solving and recruitment efforts.
Patel emphasized, “This has to change.” He and Bongino have prioritized “letting good cops be cops,” aiming to lift morale and attract new talent—efforts that seem to be paying off.
A Renewed Mission
In a March recruitment video, Patel invited Americans to join the bureau, showcasing interactions with agents and footage from the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team facility. The video closes with the phrase “A renewed mission” alongside the FBI seal, urging viewers to “Apply today at FBIJobs.gov.”