U.S. Justice Department Considers Merging DEA, ATF In Major Shakeup

• The U.S. Justice Department is considering merging the lead agencies enforcing drug and gun laws in a major shakeup as it follows President Donald Trump's instructions to sharply streamline the government, according to a memo.
• In addition to potentially merging the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, department leaders are considering eliminating field offices that handle antitrust, environmental and civil cases, according to the March 25 memo.
• A possible merger of the ATF and DEA into a single agency would "achieve efficiencies in resources, case deconfliction and regulatory efforts," the memo says.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered department officials in the memo to provide feedback on the proposed restructuring by April 2. He said the plan for proposed cuts and mergers to various offices was previously provided to the Office of Personnel Management and the White House Office of Management and Budget.
• A DOJ official said the memo represents a preliminary proposal that is being circulated to solicit feedback from various department leaders. Some of the recommendations, such as the DEA-ATF merger, would require congressional approval, the official added. The memo does not specify how many jobs could be affected by the changes. The department employed about 115,000 people as of January.

(Source: Reuters)