A Democrat group is asking President Trump to remove FBI director Kash Patel as acting director of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Bureau.
Fourteen Democrats from the Housegun Violence Prevention Task Force, led by Chairman Mike Thompson (D-Calif), expressed “significant concerns” about Patel's leadership position in the agency in a letter to Trump on March 3.Share on social mediaTuesday's Dangoldman (DN.Y.) lawmaker (DN.Y.).
“As you know, the ATF is the main law enforcement agency responsible for dealing with the epidemic of gun violence in our country. When gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, it is merciless that anyone who has never fought crime, responds to mass shootings, or faces domestic terrorism, has been appointed as ATF supervision.”
The president nominated Patel and served as representing a national law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the end of last month. Patel previously held various positions within the department, and has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the FBI despite controversy over his qualifications and solid support for Trump.
Former ATF Director Steve Dettelbach resigned from his position in January. He was the agency's first permanent leader since 2015.
Agents work to divert illegal weapons and drug trafficking.
Democrats pointed out that gun homicide rates rose 34% during Trump's first term. They write that since the Biden era's Safeter Community Act was passed in a bipartisan way in 2022, there has been “historic cuts” in gun violence.
They pointed out that the ATF plays an important role in state and local investigations and that agencies must continue to support other law enforcement agencies.
“Running an ATF is a deadly and serious job. Partisans that are not entitled and qualified to oversee federal enjoyment prevention laws will harm the American people and become uncomfortable for all American children who have grown up in schools and communities for fear of gun violence,” the Democrats write.
“We recommend that you name a qualified ATF director. The ATF recommends faithfully administering the laws that keep Americans safe,” they concluded.
Oka reached out to the White House for comments.
