BY MIRABEL ODETA
The Trump administration has scrapped a controversial proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), following strong opposition from both gun-rights advocates and gun-control groups, according to a media report published on Saturday. The decision marks a significant reversal from earlier plans aimed at reshaping federal law enforcement agencies.
The change in course comes as the White House works to secure Senate confirmation for Robert Cekada, the current deputy director of the ATF, to take on the role of permanent director.
Officials familiar with the matter said moving forward with the merger could have complicated the confirmation process and intensified political resistance at a time when the administration is seeking stability within the agency.
The proposed merger was part of a broader government overhaul announced last year by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. That initiative was designed to reduce the size of federal agencies, cut costs, and streamline operations across the Justice Department.
Under the plan, the ATF’s responsibilities would have been absorbed into the DEA, fundamentally altering how firearms, explosives, alcohol, and tobacco regulations are enforced at the federal level.
However, the proposal quickly ran into trouble. Lawmakers from both major political parties raised concerns about concentrating too much authority within a single agency and questioned whether a merger would weaken oversight or disrupt ongoing investigations.
ATF employees reportedly voiced fears about job losses, mission dilution, and operational confusion, while advocacy groups on both sides of the gun debate warned that the move could undermine enforcement or regulatory clarity.
Because the merger would have required approval from Congress, the growing bipartisan backlash made its prospects increasingly uncertain. Faced with mounting resistance and limited political support, the administration ultimately decided to abandon the plan. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported decision.