Trump expected to name Patel as acting ATF head

President Trump is expected to appoint new FBI Director Kash Patel to serve as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a domestic law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice, a source familiar confirmed to The Hill’s partner outlet NewsNation. 

Despite controversy over qualifications, the Senate recently confirmed Patel to serve as the head of the FBI in a 51-49 vote.

The New York native has a history of employment with the Justice Department and served for three years as a trial attorney before moving on to positions at the National Security Council, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Department of Defense. 

In many of those roles, he worked alongside President Trump’s closest allies including Richard Grenell, who now serves as special presidential envoy for special missions, in addition to Devin Nunes, the appointed chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and CEO of Trump’s Truth Social platform. 

Former ATF Director Steve Dettelbach, the first permanent head of the agency since 2015, resigned from the post in January.

The ATF works to divert the trafficking of illegal weapons and substances, including some that are smuggled into the country through the Southern border. 

The Trump administration has prioritized securing U.S. entry points while curbing the flow of drugs and guns often transported by cartels, which were declared global terrorist organizations Wednesday. 

Patel’s ATF appointment could be made official as soon as next week with a swearing-in ceremony, according to NBC News. 

Kellie Meyer and Kevin Bohn contributed.