Trump Picks John Ratcliffe, His Former Intelligence Director, for C.I.A. Chief
Ratcliffe, a Republican congressman from Texas, was appointed director of national intelligence in 2019 but stepped down after just four months to run for Senate.
John Ratcliffe, a former intelligence director and Republican congressman from Texas, has been nominated by President Trump to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
Ratcliffe was appointed director of national intelligence in 2019 but stepped down after just four months to run for Senate. He lost the Republican primary to incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and has remained an outspoken supporter of Trump.
The C.I.A. is the nation's primary foreign intelligence agency and is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating national security information. The agency's director is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Former C.I.A. officials had warned that the appointment of a political figure could damage the agency's reputation for independence.
The appointment of Ratcliffe has been met with criticism from some former C.I.A. officials, who have warned that the appointment of a political figure could damage the agency's reputation for independence.
Several former C.I.A. officials have also expressed concern that Ratcliffe lacks the experience necessary to lead the agency.
If confirmed by the Senate, Ratcliffe would be the first C.I.A. director to serve in Congress since CIA Director Mike Pompeo was appointed Secretary of State in 2018.
If confirmed by the Senate, Ratcliffe would be the first C.I.A. director to serve in Congress since Mike Pompeo, who was appointed Secretary of State in 2018.
Pompeo was also a Republican congressman from Kansas before he was appointed C.I.A. director by Trump in 2017.
The Senate is expected to hold a confirmation hearing for Ratcliffe in the coming weeks.
The Senate is expected to hold a confirmation hearing for Ratcliffe in the coming weeks.
The hearing is likely to focus on Ratcliffe's qualifications for the job, as well as his views on the role of the C.I.A. and the importance of intelligence in national security.
