Dan Driscoll is sworn in as Secretary of the Army (VP J.D. Vance / X)
Fox News, citing sources familiar with the personnel changes, reports that Patel personally asked to be removed from the temporary post in order to concentrate fully on his responsibilities as FBI Director.
“It was never supposed to be a long-term thing. He was happy to serve, of course, but his job is the director of the FBI,” a source told Fox News.
But while the conservative media points to a straightforward transition, the liberal press has already begun launching a barrage of narratives aimed at casting doubt on the situation.
The Associated Press, without offering concrete evidence, claimed that Patel was “quietly removed” from the ATF just days after being sworn in. One anonymous source cited vague “personnel moves” as the reason for the shift, but conveniently left out any real explanation.
The left-wing tabloid Daily Beast took it even further, claiming Patel “simply stopped showing up” to the agency. The outlet cited a string of unnamed insiders who alleged that the FBI Director hadn’t been spotted at ATF headquarters for weeks.
Meanwhile, NBC News ran a segment that painted the internal mood at the bureau as chaotic and confused.
“I’m now told the Patel was only the acting ATF Director for a very short time, perhaps just a day. And Driscoll was appointed the acting when Kash was removed. An official said it had nothing to do with job performance. Unclear why they never announced this,” NBC’s Ken Dilanian reported.
I’m now told the Patel was only the acting ATF Director for a very short time, perhaps just a day. And Driscoll was appointed the acting when Kash was removed. An official said it had nothing to do with job performance. Unclear why they never announced this. https://t.co/GrJg8tHQjP
The Biden White House, for its part, attempted to downplay the situation entirely. Spokesperson Harrison Fields referred to Patel’s brief tenure as a “standard, short-term move,” claiming it was merely part of the administrative shuffle while awaiting Senate confirmations.
Still, the Department of Justice has yet to issue a formal statement addressing why Patel’s role ended so quickly—or why the public was left in the dark for weeks. The silence has only fueled speculation that this was more than just a routine staffing adjustment.
Dan Driscoll now steps into a powder keg. Under the Biden administration, the ATF has become increasingly aggressive, especially when it comes to firearm regulations, surveillance of gun dealers, and controversial rule changes that critics say trample on constitutional rights. The agency’s handling of pistol braces, “ghost guns,” and wide-reaching registry-like activities have sparked lawsuits and outrage among Second Amendment advocates nationwide.
Driscoll, with his military background and no-nonsense reputation, may be a different breed than previous ATF heads. But he’ll have to navigate an agency with a history of political weaponization and a growing credibility crisis. Whether he’ll toe the line or push back remains to be seen—but the American people will be watching.
And with the Biden administration continuing to operate under a veil of secrecy, transparency and accountability at the ATF seem more elusive than ever.
