President Donald Trump is expected to name FBI Director Kash Patel as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
A Justice Department official told ABC News that Patel is expected to be sworn in as acting director early next week.
The White House didn't respond to a request for comment.
The move comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the ATF's general counsel, Pamela Hicks, late last week. Bondi said in an interview with Fox News on Friday that it was because the agency's lead lawyer was "targeting gun owners."
In one of her first memos signed after her confirmation, Bondi instructed the ATF to shift resources away from its alcohol and tobacco enforcement arms to assist in the DOJ's efforts to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal groups.
Posted by John3262005
5 Comments
He’s gonna run two agencies simultaneously?
So the ATF will address none of its three titular duties.
Fab.
> Bondi said in an interview with Fox News on Friday that it was because the agency’s lead lawyer was “targeting gun owners.”
My god, who will these ATF bastards come looking for next? Alcohol drinkers? Tobacco enthusiasts?
Consolidating federal LE agencies
Spooky shit
>ATF to shift resources away from its alcohol and tobacco enforcement arms to assist in the DOJ’s efforts to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal groups.
Check under your seats! You get an ICE and you get an ICE and you get an ICE. Everyone gets an ICE