US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he was appointed in February to replace FBI director Kash Patel as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was appointed to the role in February.
Driscoll was notified on Wednesday that he was appointed during his trip to Europe, defense officials told Fox News.
He will play both roles and continue to serve as Secretary of the Army while overseeing the ATF.
If “preparations” are made in the impact of southern border developments, Democrats will be the candidate for the Secretary of the Army
Daniel Drisco testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on January 30th regarding his appointment to Secretary of Army in Capitol Hill (AP Photo/Manuel Barce Cenetar)
A source close to Patel told Fox News Digital that the ATF was off his plate because he wanted to focus on the station.
“It was never a long-term thing. Of course, he was willing to serve, but his job is to be the director of the FBI,” the source said.
Drisco, a veteran and venture capitalist from North Carolina, was chosen by Trump to serve as Secretary of the Army. Driscoll, senior adviser to Vice President JD Vance, fought against the 10th Mountain Division as the leader of the cavalry reconnaissance squad that supports Operation Iraq’s freedom.
FBI Director Kash Patel visits DC HQ, who plays ATF Chief
Kash Patel testifies at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC on January 30 (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Patel was pledged to lead the ATF after taking the oath to lead the FBI following a controversial confirmation process that Democrats are on the verge of lack of management experience and other claims.
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President Donald Trump has not made clear what his plan is for the ATF, which was the target of Republicans in Congress. The agency is accused of enforcing state laws regarding firearms, explosives and arson.
He is also charged with licensing federal firearm dealers, tracking guns used in crimes, and intelligence analysis in filming investigations.
Morgan Phillips and Louis Casiano of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to greg.wehner @fox.com and Twitter @gregwehner.
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