What to know about John Ratcliffe, Trump’s pick for CIA director
Who is John Ratcliffe?
John Ratcliffe is a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas and a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 4th congressional district. He is a close ally of President Donald Trump and has been a vocal supporter of the president's policies.
Ratcliffe was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Heath, Texas. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and the Southern Methodist University School of Law. After graduating from law school, Ratcliffe worked as a prosecutor in the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.
In 2004, Ratcliffe was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He served in the state legislature for six years, during which time he authored several bills that were signed into law by then-Governor Rick Perry.
Ratcliffe's qualifications for the CIA director position
Ratcliffe has no prior experience in the intelligence community, but he has been a vocal supporter of the CIA and its mission. He has also been a critic of the Obama administration's handling of national security issues.
Ratcliffe's supporters argue that his lack of experience in the intelligence community is not a disqualifying factor. They point to his experience as a prosecutor and a member of Congress as evidence of his qualifications for the job.
Ratcliffe's critics argue that he is not qualified to lead the CIA. They point to his lack of experience in the intelligence community and his history of making inaccurate and misleading statements.
The Senate confirmation process
Ratcliffe's nomination for CIA director is expected to be a contentious one. He is likely to face tough questions from Democrats about his qualifications for the job and his views on national security issues.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Ratcliffe's nomination on July 22. The committee will then make a recommendation to the full Senate, which will vote on Ratcliffe's nomination.
Conclusion
The nomination of John Ratcliffe for CIA director is a controversial one. Ratcliffe has no prior experience in the intelligence community, but he is a close ally of President Trump and a vocal supporter of the president's policies.
The Senate confirmation process is expected to be a contentious one. Ratcliffe is likely to face tough questions from Democrats about his qualifications for the job and his views on national security issues.