Could the ATF be facing a massive shakeup under the Trump administration? FBI Director Kash Patel’s rumored plan to cut up to 1,000 ATF agents has gun rights advocates celebrating while critics warn of dire consequences.
At a glance:
- FBI Director Kash Patel, also acting ATF Director, plans to reassign up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI
- The move would reduce ATF’s agent force by over a third from its current level of 2,600 agents
- Initial reassignments would focus on border-related criminal enforcement
- Gun rights groups have celebrated the potential reduction of an agency they view as infringing on Second Amendment rights
- Critics argue the plan would weaken law enforcement’s ability to combat illegal gun trafficking
Major Shake-Up at Federal Firearms Agency
FBI Director Kash Patel is planning a significant restructuring of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), potentially reducing its agent force by more than a third. The plan would involve reassigning up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI, dramatically changing an agency that gun rights advocates have long criticized for overreaching enforcement practices.
The ATF currently employs approximately 2,600 agents and 5,000 total staff, numbers that have remained relatively stable for years despite political pressures. Initial phases of the plan would reassign a few hundred ATF agents to border-related criminal enforcement, where they would serve as FBI agents rather than continuing under the ATF banner.
Gun rights organizations have enthusiastically supported the news, with many celebrating on social media as a victory for Second Amendment protections. The Gun Owners of America, a prominent pro-gun organization, shared their approval of the potential ATF reduction across multiple platforms.
Official Response and Clarifications
Following initial reports and subsequent pushback, FBI officials reportedly reconsidered aspects of the original plan. An ATF spokeswoman attempted to downplay the scope of the changes, issuing a statement clarifying immediate plans.
“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,” said ATF spokeswoman Ashlee J L Sherrill.
Report: Kash Patel to Cut 'as Many as 1,000 ATF Agents' @BreitbartNews https://t.co/cQJ12pHTDu
— AWR Hawkins (@AWRHawkins) March 23, 2025
Despite these clarifications, sources familiar with the plan suggested that eventually up to 1,000 ATF agents might be reassigned as FBI agents without any specified end date.
Political Reactions and Implications
President Trump appointed Patel to reform the FBI, later naming him as Acting ATF Director and positioning him to make important changes across federal law enforcement. The potential merging of ATF resources with the FBI isn’t entirely new, as similar proposals were considered during previous administrations, including discussions during the Obama years.
Gun control advocates have expressed alarm at the potential ATF reduction, with Gabby Giffords’ organization claiming it would increase crime rates. The group argued that reducing ATF’s capacity would weaken law enforcement’s ability to combat illegal gun trafficking and enforce federal firearms regulations.
Second Amendment supporters view the potential downsizing as addressing long-standing concerns about ATF overreach and potential infringements on constitutional rights. Many conservative commentators have noted that the agency has come under scrutiny for controversial enforcement actions over the years, including operations that resulted in legal gun owners facing investigation.
