Failed ATF nominee says he spoke to no one at White House after

David Chipman, who was once President BidenJoe BidenDemocrats search for sweet spot below .5 trillion price tag Progressive Democrats seek to purge the term ‘moderate’ Republicans plow forward with election challenges MORE’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), says that following his ultimately failed nomination to the post, he spoke with no one at the White House.

In an interview with The New York Times, Chipman said he thought it was “unusual” that he spoke to no one from the administration from the moment he was first nominated.

“In the back of my mind, I always thought that there would be a Plan B, but so far there hasn’t been,” Chipman said.

Chipman was nominated in April as Biden was facing pressure to take action on gun control amid multiple mass shootings that had occurred over the span of a month.

But the president pulled the nomination earlier this month amid Republican opposition to Chipman over his work with the gun control advocacy group founded by former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.). Chipman also faced opposition from Sen. Angus KingAngus KingOvernight Defense & National Security — Presented by AM General — Senators slam Pentagon officials Angus King defends Milley for contact with Chinese counterpart LIVE COVERAGE: Senators press military leaders on Afghanistan MORE (I-Maine).

Speaking to the Times, Chipman said that having no other contact with the White House made him feel on “an island” when he faced scrutiny from pro-guns groups. He dubbed the entire situation a “failure.”

“Either this was impossible to win, or the strategy failed,” Chipman said. “This was a failure.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. 

Chipman also detailed to the Times a meeting with King in July, during which the senator apparently told him “my friends who are gun dealers in Maine” objected to Chipman.

“I left his office thinking, ‘Does he really believe that people who regulate industries can only get those jobs if they’re friends with the industry?’” Chipman told the Times. “He just said the quiet part out loud.”

King said in a letter to constituents that Chipman could not be a “fair and objective regulator” because he could not be “evenhanded” with gun dealers, the Times notes.

The Hill has reached out to King’s office for comment.