Former ATF Chief Counsel Pamela Hicks Terminated by Attorney General Bondi
Termination Announcement
Pamela Hicks, the former Chief Legal Counsel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), confirmed her termination on her LinkedIn page on Thursday. The official notice from the Attorney General of the United States stated her removal from the position and the termination of her employment with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Service and Career
Hicks had served as ATF’s Chief Counsel since 2021 under the Biden administration. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Chief Counsel under President Donald Trump’s first administration. She had spent 23 years overall as an attorney within the DOJ.
Statement from Hicks
In her LinkedIn post, Hicks expressed the honor she felt serving as ATF Chief Counsel and the pleasure she had in working with the agency and the department. She thanked her colleagues for their friendship and partnership over the years.
Termination Details
A source familiar with the termination confirmed that Hicks was escorted out of the ATF building upon her termination. The ATF declined to comment on personnel matters, including specific personnel issues, actions, or ongoing investigations.
Context of Terminations
The firing of Hicks comes amid a series of departures and terminations of senior DOJ officials. In February, at least seven federal prosecutors resigned in protest over the Trump DOJ’s order to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. On Tuesday, Trump ordered the DOJ to "clean house" of all Biden-era U.S. attorneys, firing all remaining ones and calling for a swift restoration of confidence.
Attorney General Bondi’s Remarks
Attorney General Bondi, who was confirmed on February 5th, spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday. She expressed concern about the "volume" of political weaponization within the DOJ left over from the Biden administration. She also stated that the department’s state was "worse" than she had expected, specifically in its failure to combat violent crime.
Historical Background
The ATF was transferred from the Department of Treasury to the DOJ in 2003, following the Homeland Security Act’s mandate to join the DOJ in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Conclusions
The termination of Pamela Hicks as ATF Chief Legal Counsel adds to the ongoing personnel changes within the DOJ, reflecting a shift in priorities and a focus on combating political weaponization of the department. While the department’s future direction remains to be seen, the recent terminations and Attorney General Bondi’s remarks indicate a significant change in approach.
