First on FOX – FBI Director Kash Patel strongly rebutted a CNN report claiming in a memo from ATF employees that it is implementing “major reductions” of alcohol, cigarettes, firearms and explosives (ATFs).
CNN reported on Saturday that Patel outlined “a plan to move up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI” and “cutting ATF agents by more than a third,” according to three unnamed sources.
“The move represents a significant cut in the ATF. The ATF has long been an agency in the crosshairs of gun rights groups and believes its work is violating its rights to the second amendment.” CNN said. “The ATF has around 2,600 agents and over 5,000 employees. This has hardly changed over the years.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel called out a CNN report on “completely false” ATF cuts in a memo from ATF employees, Fox News Digital learned. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
“After the announcement of this story and the resulting pushback from Republican allies, FBI officials have begun to backtrack aspects of their plans, according to US officials familiar with the issue,” the report said.
Patel, who is now acting director of ATF, has issued a memo to ATF staff who refused CNN reports.
“What I want to address this weekend's report is to speculate on personnel decisions at the ATF regarding the FBI's leadership intentions,” Patel has launched a note obtained by Fox News Digital. “This weekend, CNN reported news of plans on part of its leadership: “cutting up to a third” of ATF agents and reallocating 1,000 agents to the FBI. This report suggested that our leadership team changed courses after reading the news report, ultimately endorsing certain aspects of the change.
“The fake news will never be held responsible for the operational command authorities against the ATF,” Patel declared. “The brave men and women at ATF will not put security at risk through media disinformation campaigns to valiantly devote themselves to protecting the American people. Once they make a decision, they will be the final step regardless of the input of CNN or other news organizations.”
CNN declined to request comment for Fox News Digital.
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CNN reported that Patel will reduce the number of ATF agents by “more than a third”. (John Greim/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
Patel previewed his harsh attitude towards the media in his remarks he made after being sworn in as FBI director last month.
“Look, I know the media here, and if you have a target, the target is here,” Patel said, pointing to himself. “We're not FBI men and women.”
“You've written everything you can about me, which is fake, malicious, defamatory, and defamatory. Keep doing that.
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Kash Patel took a tough stance towards the media following his oath as FBI director. (Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Donald Trump has entrusted Patel with overhauling the FBI, which has been deemed politicized in recent years.
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