Leaders of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are not well regarded by the agency’s rank and file. An internal survey asked employees if managers maintained “high standards of honesty and integrity.” Only 44% said “yes.” As for general “leadership effectiveness,” ATF scored a 40.5, placing it nearly last among government agencies (215th out of 228 agencies surveyed). The rating, down 10 points from last year, was the first since the “Fast and Furious” gun scandal went public.

 

It is worth noting that ATF has had a hard time finding permanent leaders at all. In August 2006, Carl Truscott was forced to resign as ATF director as a result of a wide variety of allegations that included wasteful spending, ordering ATF employees to help Truscott’s nephew on a high school project and creating a hostile work environment.

 

In the almost six years since Truscott’s departure, ATF has been without a permanent director and has instead been led by five different acting directors. President George W. Bush nominated Michael Sullivan to replace Truscott, but Idaho Republican Senators Larry Craig and Michael Crapo, siding with gun dealers, blocked his confirmation. Gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), also blocked President Barack Obama’s choice, Andrew Traver.

 

B. Todd Jones has served as ATF’s acting director since August 31, 2011.

-David Wallechinsky, Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Internal Memo Shows ATF Rank And File Don't Trust The Brass (by Maxim Lott, FOX News

Senate Republicans Continue to Block ATF Director Nominee (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms: Who Is B. Todd Jones? (by Matt Bewig, AllGov)

Report Criticizes Ex-ATF Chief (by Dan Eggen, Washington Post)