Jan 17 (Reuters) – The Trump administration abandoned its proposal to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following opposition from gun rights and control groups, CNN reported on Saturday, citing people briefed on the matter.

The reversal comes as the White House seeks Senate confirmation for Robert Cekada, deputy director of the ATF, to serve as permanent director, according to the report.

The merger plan was part of a broader restructuring announced last year by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to shrink federal agencies and dramatically streamline the government.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attends a press conference at the Department of Justice on November 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attends a press conference at the Department of Justice on November 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

The plan would have required congressional approval and would have faced bipartisan backlash, as well as resistance from agency employees and opposition from both gun control and gun rights organizations.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Editing by Kevin Liffey)