FBI Director Now Leads ATF Too

FBI Director Kash Patel has been appointed as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in a historic move placing him in charge of two major federal law enforcement agencies simultaneously. This change is part of broader shifts within the Department of Justice, including the dismissal of ATF's chief legal counsel, Pamela Hicks, by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The dual role has elicited mixed reactions, with gun rights groups expressing support and gun safety advocates raising concerns about changes in the agency's regulatory approach. The appointment aligns with the administration's focus on reevaluating federal law enforcement's priorities, especially regarding firearm regulation.