Trump Reshuffles FBI: Acting Director Brian Driscoll takes charge, Federal employees now held accountable

Robert Kissane, a senior counterterrorism agent in New York, has been named acting deputy director, according to the White House.

President Donald Trump initiated significant changes within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on his first day back in office, implementing a shake-up that has led to the reassignment of key senior officials and the appointment of new leadership.

The changes began after former FBI Director Christopher Wray, appointed during Trump’s first term, announced his resignation last month. Acting Director Paul Abbate also stepped down hours before Trump was sworn in for his second term.

According to the Associated Press, citing a source familiar with the matter, Bruce Swartz, the longtime head of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, was among nearly 20 senior staffers reassigned.

The White House has appointed Brian Driscoll as the acting FBI director until Kashyap "Kash" Patel is confirmed by the Senate. Patel’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29.

During his first day in office, President Trump signed a memorandum titled "Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives," stressing that federal employees can be fired if they fail to perform.

"I came from the private sector before the FBI, and I noticed such a contrast," a former FBI agent told Fox News Digital. "In the private sector, if you're not doing your job, you get fired. But in the federal government, there was almost this mood of being untouchable. I really believe those days are over."

The agent noted that Paul Abbate’s decision to retire was likely influenced by his role in high-profile controversies, including the Mar-a-Lago raid and the handling of January 6-related cases.

"He had to have known his days were numbered," the agent said. "Rather than being removed upon Trump’s arrival, it was probably in his best interest to step down voluntarily."

Driscoll, a veteran FBI agent who joined the agency in 2007, now leads the bureau as Patel begins his Senate confirmation process. Driscoll previously served as special agent in charge of the Newark Field Office and held leadership roles in the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and the Tactical Section of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).

"It’s good for the FBI to have someone with such a strong tactical background and HRT experience at the helm," retired FBI agent Scott Duffey told Fox News Digital. "It’s a tall order, and I wish him well."

Robert Kissane, a senior counterterrorism agent in New York, has been named acting deputy director, according to the White House.

Before joining the FBI, Driscoll worked as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Villanova University and a master’s degree in public policy and international relations from Pepperdine University.

President Trump has promised to root out corruption in the FBI and the Department of Justice, underscoring the need for accountability. “Federal employees are working for the American taxpayers, and their dollars need to be put to good use. If you’re not doing your job, you should be removed,” said the former agent.

As the FBI embarks on this new chapter, Trump’s administration appears determined to align the bureau’s efforts with his vision for a more accountable federal workforce.