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FBI Director Kash Patel plans to slash the ATF’s workforce by over a third, transferring 1,000 agents to the FBI in a bold border security consolidation that has already triggered significant pushback within federal law enforcement.
At a Glance
- Patel, who serves as both FBI Director and acting ATF Director, plans to transfer up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI
- The initial phase will reassign hundreds of agents to border-related criminal enforcement
- After publication and immediate pushback, FBI officials began reconsidering aspects of the plan
- ATF spokeswoman clarified that only 150 agents would be temporarily reassigned to other ATF offices, not the FBI
- The move signals President Trump’s administration is moving from discussing agency consolidation to implementation
Major Workforce Shift Underway
FBI Director Kash Patel is advancing a significant restructuring of federal law enforcement by planning to transfer approximately 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI. This dramatic shift would reduce the ATF’s agent workforce by more than a third from its current level of about 2,600 agents. The plan initially calls for several hundred ATF agents to be reassigned to FBI-led border-related criminal enforcement operations, potentially signaling the beginning of a larger consolidation.
Since President Trump appointed Patel to lead both agencies, speculation about a potential merger has transformed into concrete action. The ATF currently maintains approximately 5,000 total employees with agent numbers that have remained relatively stable for years. This significant redeployment represents the most substantial organizational change to either agency in recent memory and aligns with the administration’s focus on strengthening border security through consolidated operations.
Immediate Pushback and Clarification
Following the initial disclosure of Patel’s plans, the proposal faced significant resistance, prompting FBI officials to reconsider aspects of the reorganization. In response to the pushback, ATF spokeswoman Ashlee J L Sherrill issued a statement clarifying the scope of the reassignment, seemingly contradicting earlier reports about the scale of the changes and which agency would control the relocated personnel.
“The ATF will temporarily assign approximately 150 agents from existing field offices to other ATF field offices, where they will continue serving as ATF agents to support the surge initiative. It is important to clarify that this is a temporary reassignment of resources to bolster public safety and combat criminal organizations more effectively. Additionally, ATF routinely initiates surge operations in cities across the country facing significant increases in violent crime. These targeted operations are a proven strategy to disrupt criminal activity, apprehend offenders, and support local law enforcement efforts.”
Notably absent from the ATF’s statement was any timeline for this “temporary” reassignment or confirmation of how many agents might ultimately be transferred to FBI control. Both the FBI and Justice Department have declined requests for comment on the matter, further clouding the exact parameters of the organizational changes taking place.
Long-Standing Merger Considerations
The idea of merging the ATF with the FBI is not new in Washington. Previous administrations, including the Obama White House, had explored similar consolidations as a means of streamlining federal law enforcement. Critics of the ATF have long pointed to its politicized nature and what they view as regulatory overreach, particularly regarding firearms policy. Supporters of a merger suggest that folding the agency into the FBI could depoliticize its functions and improve operational efficiency.
“The goal it seems raises the specter of an eventual merger between the agency and the FBI — an idea that has circulated for years among Democrats and Republicans as a way to depoliticize the ATF and reign in perceived overreach,” noted David Chipman, regarding speculation about Patel’s appointment and its implications.
Patel’s background has raised concerns among some former ATF officials. Mark Jones, a former ATF agent, expressed his view that “This guy doesn’t like the ATF and doesn’t believe in firearms regulation. I just see him coming in with a wrecking ball.” Patel previously spoke at events hosted by Gun Owners of America, an organization that advocates for the abolition of the ATF, further fueling speculation about his intentions for the agency’s future.
A Shift From Discussion to Implementation
President Trump’s administration has moved swiftly on firearms policy and law enforcement restructuring. Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the ATF’s longtime general counsel, while Trump ordered a comprehensive review of gun-related policies implemented over the previous four years. Patel, in his dual role, is positioned to oversee this review and implement significant changes to federal law enforcement’s approach to firearms regulation and border security.
The ATF has struggled to maintain stable leadership, with only two Senate-confirmed directors since 2006 due to political gridlock over confirmations. This leadership vacuum has weakened the agency’s ability to advocate for itself within the federal bureaucracy and left it vulnerable to significant restructuring by decisive leadership. Patel’s appointment and subsequent actions represent a clear shift from merely discussing potential changes to actively implementing them.