Just before Christmas, the Department of Justice announced that both Acting Director David Harlow of the US Marshals Service (USMS) and Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will continue to serve as the heads of their respective agencies for the duration of the Obama administration.
“Over the course of their decades in law enforcement, David Harlow and Thomas Brandon have demonstrated themselves to be outstanding public servants and extraordinary partners in the work of building a stronger, safer nation,” said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. “As head of the US Marshals Service, David Harlow has led on a range of important issues, from helping to expand the ability of USMS to assist in cases involving missing children, to promoting an understanding of implicit bias, to apprehending violent fugitives. As the leader of ATF, Thomas Brandon has forged broad-based partnerships, advanced intelligence-driven policing and helped shape ATF’s impact as a guardian of public safety. In all of their efforts, they have worked to fulfill America’s highest priorities and most deeply-held values. I am pleased that the American people will continue to receive the benefit of their professionalism, integrity and devotion to duty.”
Harlow became Acting Director of the USMS on July 26, 2015. Pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act, the title of acting director will expire on Feb. 20, 2016, at which time Harlow will continue leading the Marshals as Deputy Director for the duration of this administration.
Brandon became Acting Director of ATF on April 1, 2015. Harlow was named the USMS’s Deputy Director in February 2014.
Brandon was named ATF’s Acting Director on April 1, 2015. At the time of his appointment as Deputy Director in 2011, Mr. Brandon was serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division, directing field operations for ATF in Arizona and New Mexico.
