U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has been appointed interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), while continuing to serve as Army Secretary, according to multiple U.S. officials. The Justice Department confirmed the leadership change but declined to explain why Driscoll replaced Kash Patel.

Patel, a vocal ally of former President Donald Trump, was sworn in as acting ATF chief in February, shortly after becoming FBI Director. Despite the leadership shift, Patel’s name and photo still appeared on the ATF website as of Wednesday afternoon. The change comes as the Justice Department considers merging ATF with the DEA for cost-saving purposes.

Driscoll, confirmed by the Senate in February, has a military background, including command roles in Iraq. He later graduated from Yale Law School and held roles in finance and corporate leadership, but has no formal experience in federal law enforcement. Still, he now leads ATF, an agency with significant power over gun, explosive, and tobacco law enforcement.

Meanwhile, under Patel’s brief FBI leadership, agent recruitment has surged. In March, the bureau received a record 5,577 applications—far above the monthly average. January and February also saw unusually high interest in FBI positions, marking a trend not seen since 2016.

Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have prioritized restoring trust in the FBI and empowering law enforcement. Supporters credit them with revitalizing the bureau’s image and inspiring new applicants.

Patel’s recruitment campaign includes videos emphasizing a renewed mission, reflecting his goal of rebuilding public faith in the FBI and boosting morale within federal policing.