First at Fox – Director of the FBI Kash Patel Fox News Digital learned that it strongly refuted CNN’s report, saying he was making “significant cuts” to alcohol, tobacco, guns and explosives (ATFs) (ATFs) in preparation for its memorandum.
CNN reported on Saturday that Patel “outlined plans to transfer up to 1,000 ATF agents to the FBI” and “slash ATF agents by more than one third.”
“The move represents a significant cut by the ATF, which has long been among gun rights organizations that believe their work violates Second Amendment rights,” he said. CNN says. “The ATF has about 2,600 agents and over 5,000 employees, a number that has remained unchanged for many years.”
FOX News Digital learned that FBI Director Kash Patel said in a memo for ATF employees that the ATF cuts “completely wrong” CNN reports. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, after the release of the story and the lead-back was caused by Republican allies, including Republican allies,” the report said.
Patel, who is also acting director of the ATF, has issued a memorandum that rejected the CNN report to ATF staff.
“I want to address a report this weekend, speculating about the FBI’s intentions on the personnel decision on the ATF,” Patel began the memo Fox News Numbers. “This weekend, CNN reported on a plan from our leadership that required ‘cutting up to one-third of ATF agents and reallocating 1,000 agents to the FBI. The report even suggested that our leadership team change the course after reading the news report and eventually revoke some aspects of the change. This “report” is totally wrong.”
“Fake news will never be responsible for the ATF’s operational command authority,” Patel declared. “The brave men and women who are brave enough to protect the ATFs of the U.S. public will not endanger their safety due to the media’s false propaganda campaign. When we make a decision, no matter what the investment of CNN or other news organizations will be.”
CNN did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
CNN reports Patel will cut the number of ATF agents “more than one-third”. (John Greim/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
Patel took a tough stance on the media after he was sworn in last month.
“Look, I know the media is here, if you have a goal, the goal is here,” Patel pointed out himself. “Not the FBI men and women.”
Patel told his supporters: “You have written everything about me for me, which is fake, malicious, slanderous and slanderous. Keep going. Push it away, but keep FBI men and women out. They deserve something better.”
FBI director told the media after being sworn in
Kash Patel vowed to be the director of the FBI and took a tough stance against the media. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump Mission Patel overhauled the FBI and has been seen as politicizing in recent years.
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