Trump to name FBI chief Patel as acting ATF director, source says
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Mr Kash Patel is expected to lead an overhaul of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, shifting its focus away from regulating firearms.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump will name newly confirmed FBI director Kash Patel
Mr Patel, a Trump loyalist, will run the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the nation's most prominent law enforcement agency, at a time of growing upheaval, while also leading the ATF which enforces US gun laws.
Democrats and two moderate Republicans had forcefully opposed Mr Patel's nomination, saying his past calls for retribution against Mr Trump's critics made him unfit to lead the FBI, but this was not enough to overcome broad Republican support.
Mr Patel, who has received support from the Gun Owners of America lobby group for championing gun rights, would be expected to lead an overhaul of the agency, shifting its focus away from regulating firearms.
During his presidential campaign, Mr Trump accused the ATF of being heavy-handed with gun owners and revoking licences on frivolous grounds.
On Feb 20, Attorney-General Pam Bondi abruptly fired ATF's long-time chief counsel, Ms Pamela Hicks, and had security escort her out of the building without an explanation or a warning, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Ms Bondi later said in an interview with Fox News that she fired Ms Hicks because “these people were targeting gun owners.”
Ms Bondi had ordered the ATF to shift its focus to helping the Department of Justice target illegal immigration and shift away from its role of regulating arms, tobacco and alcohol.
Mr Patel would be one of several Trump administration officials to take on two roles.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also serving as acting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, which Mr Trump wants to dissolve and fold under State Department control.
Mr Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, is also serving as the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency the administration wants to dissolve.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright also serve as co-chairs of Mr Trump's new National Energy Dominance Council. REUTERS
