President Donald Trump will appoint newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), further consolidating control of federal law enforcement agencies under a trusted ally, a source familiar with the decision confirmed Saturday.

Patel, a longtime Trump loyalist, will now lead both the FBI and the ATF, marking an unprecedented dual role in overseeing federal investigations and firearms enforcement. His appointment signals a significant shift in law enforcement priorities under the administration.

His confirmation as FBI director was met with intense opposition from Democrats and two moderate Republicans, who raised concerns over his past calls for targeting Trump’s political opponents. Despite these objections, Patel secured enough votes in the Republican-controlled Senate to take charge of the FBI.

Patel’s leadership at ATF is expected to bring sweeping changes, particularly in its approach to gun regulations. The Gun Owners of America, a key pro-gun rights lobby group, has expressed strong support for Patel, praising his stance on Second Amendment protections.

The reshuffling at ATF has already begun. On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly dismissed the agency’s long-serving chief counsel, Pamela Hicks, and had security escort her from the premises without prior notice.

Explaining the move, Bondi stated, “These people were targeting gun owners,” and directed the ATF to shift its focus away from firearm regulations toward assisting the Department of Justice in enforcing immigration laws.

Patel’s appointment, along with the broader shake-up at ATF, underscores Trump’s broader push to redefine federal law enforcement priorities, focusing on immigration enforcement while scaling back gun control measures.