President Donald Trump has ushered in a new era for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the nation's top law enforcement agency, promising that key leadership roles will be reassigned and changes will be implemented from day one.
The agency's transformation began last month when former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was nominated by President Trump in his first administration, announced he would step down from his post. Hours before President Trump was inaugurated, Acting Secretary Paul Abate similarly resigned.
Associated Press Bruce Swartz, the longtime head of the Justice Department's international affairs division, was reassigned along with 20 other employees, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
On Monday, the White House announced Brian Driscoll as acting FBI director. Driscoll's time as acting manager will likely end at the next point. Kashyap “Kash” Patel has been approved by the U.S. Senate as the next FBI director.
The FBI was embroiled in multiple scandals during Biden's term, and President Trump promised to root out corruption at the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Six major FBI scandals under the Biden administration
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks at the funeral service for Attorney General Merrick Garland at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on January 16, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Former FBI agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital that Abate's retirement is “a good idea.”
“He must have known his days were numbered,” she said. “Paul Abbate’s involvement in facilitating the raid at Mar-a-Lago is widely known and well-known. He was also deeply involved in promoting petty crime cases.
“I imagine he knew it might be in his best interest to just move on, rather than be removed as soon as President Trump arrived. And maybe it's better for him.” I think it was an idea,” she said.
FBI seal at a press conference at FBI headquarters in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
On the first day, President Trump signed a memorandum of understanding entitled “.Restoring accountability to senior career executives.He argued that federal employees can be fired.
“I came from the private sector before the FBI, and I noticed such a difference. In the private sector, if you're not doing your job, of course you get fired. But when you come to the federal government, we… There was almost an atmosphere of being untouchable,” Parker said.
“And I truly believe those days are over. You work for the American taxpayer, and their tax dollars should be put to good use. And I truly believe that those days are over. If you haven’t, you really should be removed from office,” she said. “There will be people who don't agree with Mr. Trump's plan, and they will choose to walk away.”
Digital Exclusive: Outgoing FBI Director talks about the biggest threat facing Americans
President Trump nominated Brian Driscoll to serve as acting director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI))
President-elect Donald Trump has named Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a longtime ally and frequent harsh critic of the FBI, to be the new administration's next director. (Reuters)
Driscoll now heads the agency as Patel begins the Senate confirmation process. Patel's Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 29th.
President Trump nominates Brian Driscoll as acting FBI director after sudden resignation
Driscoll is a veteran of the agency, having joined the agency in 2007, according to a statement posted on the White House website. Robert Kissan, New York's top counterterrorism official, will serve as acting deputy director, the White House said.
clock:
Prior to his appointment as Acting Director, Mr. Driscoll most recently served as Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Field Office. He also previously served as commander of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and chief of the tactical section of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).
“I think this is a good thing for the FBI for someone with a great background of tactical experience and HRT,” former FBI agent Scott Duffy told FOX News Digital. “That's a tall order, but I wish him all the best.”
Prior to his career with the FBI, he was a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the agency said in a release. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Villanova University and a master's degree in public policy and international relations from Pepperdine University.
Click to get the FOX News app
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI and Justice Department for comment.
FOX News' Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
