Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, along with 15 other Senate Democrats, has voiced concern over the appointment of Kash Patel as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They addressed a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, questioning the policies and procedures she plans to implement to ensure the agency continues to function effectively under Patel’s leadership.

President Trump previously announced that Kash Patel, who also serves as Director of the FBI, would take on the role at ATF, an agency with a crucial role in combating gun-related crime in the United States. In their letter, the senators argued Patel lacks the necessary experience and expressed worry about his ties to the gun industry, suggesting these factors could reverse progress in ensuring public safety.

The senators highlighted, "As the primary federal law enforcement agency dedicated to curbing illegal firearm use and enforcing federal firearms laws and regulations, it is critical that ATF be led by an experienced Director who has been confirmed by the Senate for this role and is dedicated to upholding the agency’s mission. For the reasons outlined below, Mr. Patel is not that person."

Gun violence has been declared a public health crisis, with a significant death toll in the United States. A report by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2024 listed firearm violence as a major public health challenge. Recently, efforts to reduce gun violence have shown promise, as data from 2023 indicated a reduction in gun-related deaths from the previous year. This decline was partly attributed to ATF's enforcement efforts and initiatives.

Nonetheless, the senators remain cautious. "While the decrease in violent crime and gun-related deaths is encouraging, 2023 still had the third-highest number of gun-related deaths ever recorded in the United States, evidencing that significant challenges to America’s gun violence crisis remain," wrote the senators. They urged the Department of Justice to ensure ATF remains empowered to prevent firearms from reaching those who should not have them.

The letter detailed concerns about Patel’s appointment, noting he had not been through Senate confirmation, a critical vetting process for such roles. Additionally, they referred to his past statements questioning the constitutionality of firearm background checks and mentioned the support he received from gun advocacy groups.

"We therefore write to inquire into what policies and procedures you will implement to ensure that ATF will continue to meaningfully function in its intended capacity," concluded the senators, asking AG Bondi how she will uphold ATF’s mission.

The letter closed by requesting AG Bondi clarify her approach to ensure the achievement of these goals in line with her past commitments and responsibilities.

The letter was supported by Senators Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Kirsten Gillibrand, Mazie Hirono, Mark Kelly, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Murphy, Brian Schatz, Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, Reverend Raphael Warnock, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden.