The president-elect has pledged to remove ATF Director Steve Dettelbach from his position. In a recent interview, Dettelbach defended his leadership and the agency’s progress in addressing violent crime.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, the president-elect made several commitments regarding his first actions in office, including a vow made at a prominent gun rights event in February.
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PRESIDENT-ELECT: On Day 1, we will remove Steve Dettelbach, who has taken a radical approach to gun control. Do you even know who Steve Dettelbach is?
Dettelbach, who has led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives since July 2022, has been at the forefront of addressing rising violent crime amid a national spike in mass shootings. He claims significant advancements have been made during his tenure.
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DETTELBACH: Since I began my role at ATF, we’ve seen a notable decrease in violent crime over the past two years, and I anticipate this trend will continue.
Reports indicate that violent crime fell by 3% in 2023, including a significant drop in homicides, with initial 2024 figures showing another 10% reduction compared to the previous year.
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DETTELBACH: This decline in violent crime is not coincidental; it results from targeted efforts.
Dettelbach credits this progress to collaborative work with law enforcement to identify and apprehend shooters. The ATF, with approximately 5,000 employees, plays a crucial role in enforcing federal gun laws, despite facing budget cuts of nearly $50 million for the 2024 fiscal year.
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DETTELBACH: Our initiatives are yielding results. Now is the time to build on our success rather than cut funding.
Dettelbach noted that current and potential future budget cuts would adversely affect ATF operations and public safety.
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DETTELBACH: These cuts will initially impact ATF personnel, then state and local law enforcement who rely on our support, ultimately affecting public safety.
Last year, the ATF provided over 200,000 leads for law enforcement nationwide regarding gun crimes. This included vital assistance in high-profile cases, which may be hindered by further budget reductions.
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DETTELBACH: Several ongoing investigations may be delayed due to these cutbacks.
Under the current administration, the ATF also implemented new gun control measures, including stricter regulations on ghost guns and unlicensed sellers. The incoming administration plans to reverse some of these regulations, though the fate of these policies remains uncertain.
Despite progress, Dettelbach emphasizes the ongoing need to combat gun violence effectively.
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DETTELBACH: We are far from declaring victory over the issue. There remains significant work ahead.
The responsibility for this work will shift to a new appointee when the president takes office on January 20. Dettelbach hopes that the Senate will confirm his successor, regardless of differing views on gun policy, and emphasizes the need for leadership that will support ATF personnel and their mission to safeguard the community.
