Marvin G. Richardson
Marvin G. Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | |
| Assumed office October 29, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives | |
| In office January 17, 2025 – February 24, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Steve Dettelbach |
| Succeeded by | Kash Patel (acting) |
| In office June 4, 2021 – April 24, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Regina Lombardo (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Gary M. Restaino (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | University of North Texas (BBA) Amberton University (MS) |
| Awards | Hostile Action Service Medal Presidential Rank Award |
Marvin G. Richardson is the current deputy director and former acting director of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BAFTE).
Biography
[edit]Richardson grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, as the youngest of ten children. His parents were a custodian and a construction worker.[1]
Richardson attended the University of North Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He later attended Amberton University and earned a Master of Science in Human Relations and Business.[2]
Richardson began his career in software quality assurance.[1] He later became a Texas police officer, spending five years in the position, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Following this, he began working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 1989.[2] Richardson was present at the controversial 1993 Waco siege, which led to the deaths of 82 civilians and 4 BATFE agents. He was awarded the Hostile Action Service Medal for his role during the siege.[1] In a 1995 interview, Richardson stated that while BATFE leadership mislead him about the raid, he did not blame them for what occurred.[3]
Richardson was appointed deputy director of the BAFTE on October 29, 2019.[4]
Richardson served as the acting director of the BATFE from June 4, 2021 to April 24, 2022. President Joe Biden later replaced Richardson with Gary M. Restaino.[5] During the Biden administration, Richardson faced Democratic criticism for delaying bans on homemade firearms and perceived friendliness with gun industry leaders.[6] National Review attributed Richardson's replacement due to aforementioned criticism,[7] as did Fox News contributors Jeanine Pirro and Buck Sexton.[8]
In January 2025, Richardson again briefly served as acting director, following the resignation of Steve Dettelbach on January 17.[9] On February 24, he again ceased to be Acting Director[2] after President Donald Trump appointed Kash Patel to the position.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Richardson and his wife, an attorney, have six children.[1]
Works cited
[edit]- ^ a b c d Cardona, Felisa (May 4, 2016). "Head of Denver ATF division Marvin Richardson stresses safety". Denver Post.
- ^ a b c "Deputy Director - ATF". Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ^ "ATF agents speak out on Waco tragedy". UPI. July 11, 1995.
- ^ "Deputy Director - ATF (Archive)". November 2, 2024. Archived from the original on November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Sources: Administration to replace acting ATF director". Detroit News. April 20, 2022.
- ^ "Dueling Messages Muddle Biden's Agenda on Guns". New York Times. March 2022.
- ^ Creitz, Charles (April 20, 2022). "The ATF Does Not Make Law". National Review.
- ^ "Sexton blasts 'unserious' Biden reportedly demoting qualified Black ATF director in favor of political parity". Fox News. April 20, 2022.
- ^ Beard, Kirsten (January 21, 2025). "CJN goes one-on-one with: Former ATF Director Steven Dettelbach". Cleveland Jewish News.
- ^ Richer, Alanna Durkin (February 24, 2025). "New FBI Director Kash Patel is sworn in as acting ATF chief, AP source says". Associated Press.