FBI Director Kash Patel Replaced As Acting ATF Boss, Army Secretary Steps In
U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has taken over as interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, one of numerous law enforcement agencies overseen by the Justice Department, three U.S. officials confirmed to USA TODAY.
According to two Defense sources, Driscoll is now in charge of the ATF while continuing to serve as Army secretary. A Justice Department spokesman confirmed Driscoll’s replacement of Patel but declined to comment on the reasons for the personnel change, according to USA Today.
Patel, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, was sworn in as acting head of the ATF in late February, just days after being sworn in as director of the FBI. Reuters was the first to report the news.
It is unknown when Patel will be removed from his position. As of 4 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday afternoon, Patel’s photo and title of interim director remained on the ATF’s website.
The rapid change in leadership comes as senior Justice Department officials consider merging ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration to save money.
Driscoll, the 26th Army Secretary, was sworn in on February 25, following Trump’s nomination and Senate confirmation.
Driscoll was commissioned as an armor commander in 2007, and his Army biography states that he headed a cavalry unit in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division that deployed to Baghdad in 2009.
After leaving active military, Driscoll attended Yale Law School and worked at the Veterans Legal Services Clinic. Driscoll’s bio does not mention any federal law enforcement expertise, despite having held executive positions in investment banking, private equity, and corporate operations.
Driscoll will lead the ATF, which has vast authority to enforce laws and regulations governing firearms, explosives, and tobacco products.
The FBI has been marching ahead of Patel’s leadership.
In Patel’s first full month in charge, the bureau has received a record number of applications for new agents. The number of people looking for jobs in law enforcement has more than doubled the monthly average since 2016.
Fox News Digital reported that 5,577 new applications for FBI agents were sent in March. The last time that number was even close to that in a month was April 2016, when 5,283 applications came in.
According to FBI data looked at by Fox News Digital, the average number of applications per month in 2023 was 2,797, and the average number of applications per month in 2024 was 3,383.
“Director Patel and Deputy Director (Dan) Bongino have put a major emphasis on restoring confidence in federal law enforcement and boosting new agent recruiting. These record early returns certainly suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction,” FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told Fox News Wednesday.
Records from the FBI show that since January, they have received more than 10,000 applications for new agents.
The FBI got 4,143 applications to join in January, the first month of the Trump administration and the month of Patel’s nomination and confirmation hearing. This was the first month since August 2020 that the FBI got that many applications for a new agent.
“The record number of FBI job applications in March shows that people are inspired by Kash Patel’s commitment to restoring integrity and effectiveness at the bureau,” Patel advisor Erica Knight told Fox News Digital Wednesday. “Americans are putting their trust in his leadership to rebuild the FBI and keep our communities safe.”
“Kash is dedicated to creating a stronger, more trusted FBI that serves the American people the way it was always meant to,” Knight said.
During his Senate confirmation hearing in late January, Patel illustrated the “erosion of trust” at the bureau, pointing to polling revealing that “only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the FBI.”
“This must change,” Patel testified. “Public cooperation is vital for the bureau to solve crimes, and its declining reputation is already affecting recruitment efforts.”
Patel and Bongino have put a lot of effort into hiring new agents and boosting morale among police officers by “letting good cops be cops.” This is why there are a record number of applications.
In March, Patel put out an FBI recruitment video that showed the director working with agents in the field and displaying footage from the hostage rescue team facility that asked people to join the team.
The video ends with a graphic showing the FBI seal and the words, “A renewed mission. A stronger future.”
“Apply today at FBIJobs.gov,” the video says.
Residents of Boston were stunned
Residents of Boston were stunned when a Sikorsky CH-53 Stallion, one of the largest helicopters in the U.S. military fleet, descended into the city for a rare landing.
Videos captured the moment the massive helicopter hovered over rooftops before touching down, sending dust and debris swirling through the streets as crowds gathered with phones in hand. The sudden arrival looked like a scene straight out of an action movie.
The CH-53 Stallion, often used for heavy-lift missions and troop transport, is rarely seen outside of military bases or combat zones. Its presence in downtown Boston immediately fueled speculation online, with social media erupting over the dramatic sight.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the reason for the landing, but many believe it was part of a training exercise or logistical operation. Either way, locals who witnessed it firsthand say it’s a moment they won’t soon forget.
“Not Just an Affair—This is a Scandal”: Emily Compagno Exposed for Public Relationship with HR Director on a Dreamy Beach in a Sensual Bikini — Employee Fired Due to Sensitive Images, But Emily Compagno’s Reaction Is What’s Really Sparked the Gossip…hi
“Not Just an Affair—This is a Scandal”: Emily Compagno Exposed for Public Relationship with HR Director on a Dreamy Beach in a Sensual Bikini — Employee Fired Due to Sensitive Images, But Emily Compagno’s Reaction Is What’s Really Sparked the Gossip…
In a shocking turn of events that has left both the media world and the public at large in a frenzy, Emily Compagno, a prominent legal analyst and television personality, has found herself at the center of a scandal that seems to have all the elements of a Hollywood drama. The once-respected host of Outnumbered on Fox News is now under the spotlight, not for her professional work, but for her private life that has suddenly taken a highly public turn. What was originally thought to be a harmless, sunny beach getaway has quickly spiraled into one of the most talked-about scandals of the year, prompting serious questions about privacy, workplace ethics, and the price of fame.
The scandal centers around Emily Compagno’s alleged public relationship with an HR director, a man with ties to a major corporate firm. Pictures surfaced from a beach vacation where Compagno was photographed with her rumored partner, dressed in a bikini and enjoying the idyllic setting. While the photos seemed innocent enough at first, they have since ignited a firestorm of gossip and media attention, not just for their content, but for what transpired afterward. An employee, who was said to have been present during the vacation and had access to these private photos, was reportedly fired after the sensitive images made their way into the public eye. But it is Emily Compagno’s reaction to the unfolding situation that has truly raised eyebrows, leading to an even bigger media storm.
The Photos That Sparked It All
The story began innocently enough, with Emily Compagno enjoying a well-deserved break at a picturesque beach destination. As an advocate for self-care and a strong proponent of body positivity, Compagno had posted several images from her vacation on her personal social media accounts. However, a few photos soon emerged that were not part of the public social media posts. These images depicted Compagno in a private setting, enjoying the company of an individual identified as the HR director of a well-known company. The two were photographed in what seemed like a relaxed, personal moment, leading to speculation that the two were more than just colleagues.
At first glance, these photos did not seem out of place in the world of celebrity gossip. However, it was the employee who was allegedly involved in the distribution of these images that would turn the story on its head. According to sources, the employee had accessed these private images and shared them with others, including fellow colleagues and, eventually, the media. Shortly after the photos made their rounds, the employee was reportedly let go from their position. The company’s decision to fire the employee raised significant questions about privacy, ethics, and workplace behavior.
The Firing: Was It Justified?
The firing of the employee who leaked the photos has sparked a considerable debate. Was the termination a justified move by the company, or was it an overreaction to a situation that has become far more complicated than initially expected?
The company, in a statement, clarified that the termination was not due to the photos themselves, but rather for breaching company policies regarding the handling of confidential materials. According to their spokesperson, the employee violated the privacy agreement by accessing and distributing images without permission. However, many are now questioning whether the company’s swift action was influenced by the star power of Emily Compagno, and whether it was an attempt to contain the scandal before it escalated further.
Legal experts have weighed in on the issue, with some stating that the employee’s firing may have been a violation of their rights, depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the images’ release. “It’s one thing for an employee to leak a company secret, but when it comes to personal images like these, it’s a much murkier legal landscape,” said one lawyer. “What we’re dealing with here is not just a breach of privacy but a clash between corporate interests and personal freedom.”
As the controversy deepens, questions continue to surround the role of the company in this matter. Was the decision to fire the employee purely a matter of protecting the reputation of a prominent figure, or was it a reaction to the legal implications of leaked images? The situation remains unresolved, but it has certainly added fuel to the growing fire of this scandal.
Emily Compagno’s Reaction: From Shock to Outrage
While the photos and the firing of the employee were significant developments in the scandal, it was Emily Compagno’s response that truly ignited a media frenzy. Initially, the television personality remained tight-lipped about the entire situation, not commenting on the leaked photos or the firing of the employee. However, when she finally broke her silence, her reaction stunned many.
In a statement to the press, Compagno expressed her shock at how the situation had unfolded. “I never expected something so personal to be turned into a media spectacle,” she said. “The images that were leaked were taken in a private setting, and it’s disheartening to see how people can exploit private moments for public gain.”
Compagno’s words were not just an expression of personal dismay but a pointed critique of the media’s handling of the situation. She emphasized that her professional work should be the focus of public attention, not her private life. In her statement, Compagno also expressed her concern for the fired employee, stating that while she did not condone the leaking of private photos, she understood the complexities of modern workplace dynamics and the pressures employees face.
What followed was a wave of mixed reactions from both fans and critics. Some applauded Compagno for her measured response and for showing empathy toward the fired employee. Others, however, accused her of deflecting attention from her own involvement in the scandal by focusing on the actions of the company and the fired worker.
“It’s easy to sympathize with someone when they’ve been put in the spotlight, but the reality is that Emily Compagno is part of this equation too,” one observer noted. “She, too, has benefitted from her public image, and now it’s time to face the consequences of that fame.”
The Public’s Fascination with Privacy
This scandal has brought to the forefront important issues surrounding privacy and the public’s fascination with the personal lives of celebrities. While the photos of Compagno and the HR director were clearly private, the public’s insatiable appetite for celebrity gossip often leads to the exploitation of these moments for entertainment value. In the age of social media and the 24/7 news cycle, the line between what is considered private and what becomes public has become increasingly blurred.
For many, the situation has raised questions about how far the media can go in pursuing personal stories, and at what point the invasion of privacy becomes a violation of an individual’s rights. “There’s a fine line between public interest and voyeurism,” said one media analyst. “While celebrities do lead public lives, they are entitled to personal moments, just like anyone else. The fact that these images were leaked and the employee fired for their involvement speaks volumes about the state of privacy in the media today.”
The Fallout: What Happens Next?
As the dust settles, the Emily Compagno scandal continues to unfold. While the focus has shifted somewhat from the initial shock of the photos to the corporate and legal ramifications of the incident, the fallout is far from over. The fired employee has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming wrongful termination, while Compagno’s future with her network remains uncertain.
For now, the public is left to wonder whether this scandal will serve as a turning point in how celebrity privacy is handled or if it will merely be another chapter in the ongoing saga of media excess. One thing is certain: Emily Compagno’s scandal has captured the public’s attention in a way few others have. Whether this moment will define her career or fade into obscurity remains to be seen—but the repercussions of this situation will likely be felt for some time.
