FBI Director Kash Patel plans to reassign up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI, effectively gutting the agency by more than a third in a bold border enforcement strategy.
At a Glance
- FBI Director Kash Patel proposes transferring up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI, reducing ATF’s workforce by over a third
- Initial phase will reassign several hundred agents to border-related criminal enforcement
- ATF claims the move is a “temporary reassignment” but no end date has been specified
- The merger plan follows Trump’s directive to reform federal law enforcement agencies
- Former ATF officials express concern about potential dismantling of the agency
Dramatic Restructuring of Federal Law Enforcement
In a move that signals President Trump’s commitment to border security and federal agency reform, FBI Director Kash Patel has initiated a significant restructuring of federal law enforcement. The plan involves reassigning up to 1,000 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents to the FBI, specifically targeting border-related criminal enforcement. This massive personnel shift would reduce the ATF’s agent force by more than a third, as the agency currently employs approximately 2,600 agents out of its 5,000 total workforce.
The initiative marks a decisive step toward consolidating federal law enforcement resources under the FBI’s umbrella. Patel, who serves both as FBI Director and acting ATF Director, appears to be implementing what previous administrations only discussed – a potential merger between the two agencies. This unification of federal law enforcement represents President Trump’s broader strategy to streamline government operations while strengthening border security efforts.
“Temporary” Measure With No End Date
Following public disclosure of the plan and subsequent criticism, the ATF attempted to downplay the scope of the reassignment. Agency spokeswoman Ashlee J L Sherrill issued a statement claiming a much smaller scale operation, saying “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,” said ATF spokeswoman Ashlee J L Sherrill.
However, multiple sources confirm the larger scale plan remains in development, with the FBI and Justice Department declining requests for comment. The discrepancy between the ATF’s public statement and insider information suggests a gradual implementation approach, beginning with a smaller contingent before expanding to the full 1,000-agent transfer. Notably, while the ATF characterizes this as a “temporary” measure, no specific end date has been established.
Trump’s Mission to Reform Federal Law Enforcement
President Trump appointed Patel with a clear mandate to reform the FBI, later naming him acting director of the ATF as well. This dual appointment positions Patel perfectly to orchestrate a merger that conservative lawmakers have advocated for years. The move comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the ATF’s longtime general counsel and Trump ordered a comprehensive review of gun-related policies from the previous administration, with Patel overseeing this evaluation.
“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,” said David Chipman.
Critics within the ATF have expressed dismay over Patel’s appointment, fearing his known opposition to firearms regulation signals an impending dismantling of the agency. Mark Jones, a former ATF agent, didn’t mince words about the situation: “This guy doesn’t like the ATF and doesn’t believe in firearms regulation. I just see him coming in with a wrecking ball.” The ATF has historically struggled to maintain permanent leadership, with only two Senate-confirmed directors since 2006, further weakening its ability to advocate for its institutional survival.
