Patel will be responsible for two sprawling agencies at the Justice Department. ATF alone has 5,500 personnel.

Patel is set to lead an agency that's been a frequent target of Republicans, including an effort to abolish it altogether.

Newly-confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel is expected to be named the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, officials told ABC News. Patel, who was sworn in as FBI director on Friday, could take on the new position as early as next week, a Justice Department official told the news outlet.