President Donald Trump has pledged to bring about a new chapter in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), America’s top investigative agency. This transformation started with immediate changes in top leadership roles.
The shakeup within the agency commenced with the announcement by former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, that he would be resigning from his position. Shortly before Trump’s inauguration, acting director Paul Abbate also announced his departure.
The Associated Press disclosed, based on information from a reliable source, that Bruce Swartz, the longstanding head of the Justice Department’s international affairs office, was reassigned. This reassignment affected around 20 other employees as well.
On Monday, the White House announced Brian Discoll as acting director of the FBI. Driscoll’s time as acting director will presumably end when Kashyap “Kash” Patel is confirmed as the FBI’s next director by the U.S. Senate.
Throughout former President Biden’s term, the FBI was entangled in repeated scandals, prompting President Trump to promise to root out corruption in the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Discroll, a veteran of the agency, joined in 2007, according to a statement on the White House’s website. Robert Kissane, the top counterterrorism agent in New York, will serve as acting deputy director, the White House said.
Prior to being appointed as acting director, Discroll most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Newark Field Office. He also previously served as the commander of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and Critical Incident Response Group’s (CIRG) Tactical Section chief.
“I think it’s good for the FBI, for somebody who has such an amazing background with tactical experience and HRT,” retired FBI agent Scott Duffey told Fox News Digital. “It’s a tall order, and I wish him well.”
Before his career in the FBI, he was a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the agency said in a release. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Villanova University and a master’s degree in public policy and international relations from Pepperdine University.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI and the Department of Justice for comment.
Fox News’ Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
