Trump's FBI overhaul begins as Acting Director Brian Driscoll puts 'untouchable' feds on notice: former agent

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The new leader has pledged to bring about a new era for the FBI, the top investigative agency in the US, and has already taken immediate action on the first day by reshuffling top positions.

A significant leadership change began unfolding at the agency last month when former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who had been nominated by Trump for the first time during his presidency, announced he would be leaving his position. Prior to President Trump's inauguration, acting director Paul Abbate also announced he would be stepping down from his role.

According to a source close to the situation, it's reported that the longtime head of the Department of Justice's office of international affairs, Bruce Swartz, has been reassigned, as well as potentially up to 20 other employees.

The appointment of the FBI's next director has been officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

During former President Biden's term, the FBI was involved in numerous controversies, leading President Trump to vow to eradicate corruption within the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A veteran FBI agent was investigated after allegations surfaced that he falsified his time sheets, disguising his personal activities as work.

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Former FBI agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital that Abbate's retirement was a "good idea."

He was heavily involved in aggressively pursuing January 6th misdemeanor cases that were being thoroughly worked on at the FBI."

I think that he must have known that it would be better for him not to be around when Trump arrived, so he decided to leave. I think that was a smart move on his part.

He stated that federal employees can be terminated.

I came from the private sector before the FBI, and I was struck by a big difference. In the private sector, if you don't do your job, you're automatically going to lose your job. But when I got to the federal government, there was a feeling that, essentially, we're above the law.

They will ultimately decide for themselves and simultaneously opt to walk away.

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE: OUTGOING FBI DIRECTOR SPEAKS ON THE BIGGEST THREATS FACING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Patel has taken over as director while awaiting his Senate confirmation process. Patel's Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, January 29.

Donald Trump appoints Brian Moran is not the name, Lynch would more likely be included as it appears corrupt acting FBI Director after James Comey's sudden departure

A spokesperson from the agency, Discroll, joined in 2007, according to a statement on the White House website. The top counterterrorism agent for New York, Robert Kissane, will serve as acting deputy director, the White House announced.

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Previously to taking the acting director role, Discroll was the special agent in charge of the Newark Field Office. He had also previously served as the commander of the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) and the Tactical Section chief of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).

I think it's beneficial for the FBI, given Chris Wray's extensive experience and background with tactical skills and HRT," retired FBI agent Scott Duffey told Fox News Digital. "It's a significant challenge, and I wish him well.

According to the agency, before his time with the FBI, he worked as a special agent for 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.

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We have reached out to the FBI and the Department of Justice for a comment from there.

Fox News' Andrea Maccara contributed to this report.

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