FBI Director Kash Patel has been chosen to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), according to sources from Fox News Digital. This announcement follows Patel’s recent confirmation as the FBI director, which came after a close Senate vote.
The previous FBI director, Christopher Wray, resigned at the end of President Joe Biden’s term. Shortly after, Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed ATF’s general counsel, Pamela Hicks.
Hicks confirmed her termination in a LinkedIn post, stating, “Earlier today, I was served official notice from the Attorney General of the United States that I was being removed from my position as the Chief Counsel of ATF and my employment with the Department of Justice terminated.” She had worked at the ATF since 2021 and previously served as Deputy Chief Counsel during the Trump administration, contributing over 23 years of service within the DOJ.
In her farewell message, Hicks expressed gratitude for her time at ATF, calling it “the highest honor of my career.” She thanked her colleagues for their friendship and support over the years.
Bondi emphasized that the ATF would take a different approach under her leadership, stating, “These people were targeting gun owners. Not gonna happen under this administration.”
Both the FBI and ATF operate under the Department of Justice, each playing crucial roles in maintaining law and order in the U.S.
