Dan Driscoll, the Secretary of the Army, has been appointed as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). This transition follows the brief tenure of Kash Patel, who was sworn in as ATF chief earlier this year.

The announcement was made by a U.S. defense official, revealing that Driscoll received notification of his new role while traveling in Europe. He will carry out his responsibilities at both the Army and the ATF.

Context of the Appointment

Driscoll’s appointment comes in light of Patel’s decision to step back from the ATF role to concentrate more fully on his duties as FBI Director. A source close to Patel indicated that he was not meant to hold the ATF position long-term and expressed his commitment to the bureau.

“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,” the source stated.

Background on Dan Driscoll

Hailing from North Carolina, Driscoll brings a wealth of experience to his roles, having served as a cavalry scout platoon leader in the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, he has a background in venture capitalism and currently serves as a senior advisor to Vice President JD Vance. His appointment as Army Secretary was made by former President Donald Trump.

ATF’s Role and Recent Leadership Changes

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is tasked with enforcing federal laws related to firearms, explosives, and arson. This includes responsibilities such as licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing guns linked to crimes, and analyzing intelligence regarding shooting investigations.

Patel’s brief leadership of the ATF followed a challenging confirmation process for the FBI, where concerns regarding his management experience were raised, particularly from Democratic senators.