WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The deputy director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has resigned after being given the option to leave or be removed from his post, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
Marvin Richardson, a 35-year veteran of the ATF, served as its deputy director since 2019 and spent 10 months as acting director beginning in 2021.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.
Richardson’s removal came a day after Reuters first reported that FBI Director Kash Patel had been removed as acting ATF director and replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Marvin’s departure could exacerbate a leadership vacuum at the agency, which is tasked with investigating firearm, bomb and arson-related crimes. Justice Department officials have proposed merging ATF with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone)
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