Robert Patterson, the acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, has announced that he is retiring in two weeks, according to a Washington Post report.
Patterson, who has worked at the DEA for 30 years, announced his retirement to staff on Monday via email. He said his role as the temporary director had become more difficult and that he “realized that the administrator of the DEA needs to decide and address priorities for years into the future — something which has become increasingly challenging in an acting capacity.”
“Since taking on the role of acting administrator, I have known that a permanent replacement would eventually be named. As such, I took each day as a gift, and with that mentality tried my best to keep the agency moving forward.” — DEA Head Robert Patterson, in an email to his staff
Patterson was tapped for the position in October after former DEA director Chuck Rosenberg stepped down.
Rosenburg had cited worrisome behavior by President Trump as the reason for his departure: before stepping down, Rosenburg emailed staff members that Trump had “condoned police misconduct” when he told New York police officers to “please don’t be too nice” when handling suspects.
Both Patterson and Rosenburg filled the position in a temporary capacity; neither was ever confirmed by the Senate.