Andrew Traver

2 posts

Traver’s Back in Town

Rumor has it that Kenneth Melson, acting director of the ATF, will be removed from office amid the political fallout from Project Gunrunner.  Apparently, Andrew Traver is flying to Washington for a meeting with Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole next week.

The administration tried to get Traver nominated to fill the position of Director late last year, but failed.  The office has been vacant since Truscott’s resignation in 2006, and the Senate has been unwilling to confirm anyone as a replacement.

Installing Traver is a way of getting him close to the top without the pesky confirmation process, but it’s also a tacit admission of guilt.  They wouldn’t be throwing Melson out (and failing to promote from within) unless they felt that the information showing up in the Congressional hearings was something truly worth worrying about.

If that’s the case, let’s hope it doesn’t end with one scapegoat.

Andrew Traver and the New Math

The ATF hasn’t had a director for almost four years.  Former director Carl Truscott’s reign was marked by numerous complaints about misappropriation of funds and poor treatment of employees.  Following his resignation in 2006, the parameters were changed, and Senate confirmation is now required for a nominee.

In the meantime, former prosecutor Michael Sullivan served as Acting Director, but was blocked from nomination for the permanent position.  Sullivan resigned January 20th, 2009, the day President Obama was sworn in.  Presumably, the idea was that the new President could find someone capable of passing confirmation hearings.

Andrew Traver isn’t that person.