President Donald Trump’s newly confirmed FBI Director, Kash Patel, is poised to take on an additional top law enforcement role as head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), according to a White House official and two other sources familiar with the plan.
Patel’s appointment, which could be made official as soon as next week, marks a significant shift in the administration’s approach to the agency, which has long been a target of criticism from Republican lawmakers and Second Amendment advocates.
The ATF, a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Justice, is tasked with enforcing laws related to firearms, explosives, alcohol, and tobacco. Under the Biden administration, the agency faced backlash for its perceived overreach, particularly in its efforts to regulate so-called “ghost guns” and close loopholes in firearm purchasing processes.
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Republicans have accused the ATF of infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners, a sentiment echoed by President Trump in a recent executive order aimed at protecting Second Amendment rights.
“The Biden Administration has flagrantly sought to eliminate Second Amendment rights,” the White House stated in a release. “Among other infringements, the ATF was weaponized to end the livelihoods of law-abiding small business owners in an effort to limit Americans’ ability to acquire firearms.”
The ATF has been without a permanent director since 2015, with the Biden administration’s nominee, Steven Dettelbach, serving as its first confirmed leader in nearly a decade. However, Dettelbach’s tenure was marked by controversy, as critics accused the agency of overstepping its authority and undermining the rights of gun owners.
In January, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) led a group of House Republicans in introducing legislation to abolish the ATF entirely.
“I cannot imagine under any circumstance or administration where the ATF serves as an ally to the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearm owners across America,” Boebert said in a statement.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has also taken steps to address perceived issues within the ATF.
Last week, Bondi dismissed the agency’s chief counsel, Pamela Hicks, after three years of service. In an interview with Fox News, Bondi accused Hicks and other Department of Justice leaders of “weaponizing” the agency against gun owners. “These people were targeting gun owners. Not gonna happen under this administration,” Bondi said.
Dan O’Kelly, a seasoned law enforcement professional and Second Amendment advocate who was in the running for the ATF chief spot, told the Tampa Free Press, “The ATF needs to focus on enforcing laws against violent criminals, not persecuting law-abiding citizens and businesses.”
O’Kelly spent 23 years with the ATF before retiring in 2011.
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O’Kelly’s vision for the ATF includes enhancing training for agents, refocusing efforts on combating violent crime, and promoting transparency with the public and the firearm industry. He has criticized the agency for its inconsistent enforcement and political influence, arguing that agents have been “undereducated and misled by headquarters.”
A life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a supporter of other Second Amendment organizations, O’Kelly has built a reputation as a defender of lawful gun owners. His expertise in firearm technology and recognition has made him a sought-after consultant and expert witness in cases challenging ATF overreach.
“I’ve spent years holding the ATF accountable when they act outside their authority,” O’Kelly said.
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