On Tuesday, November 12th, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has chosen former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe to serve as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Trump emphasized the importance of defending national security and achieving peace through strength.
Ratcliffe, a close ally of Trump, previously served as the National Intelligence Director towards the end of his first term.
In a statement, Trump praised John Ratcliffe as a warrior who defends truth and honesty for the American public. Trump also commended Ratcliffe for releasing documents related to the Russia investigation and criticizing the approval of foreign surveillance in national security plans during his tenure as Intelligence Director in 2020.
“I look forward to John becoming the first person ever to have held both of our nation’s highest intelligence positions. He will be a fearless fighter for all Americans’ constitutional rights while ensuring the highest level of national security and achieving peace through strength,” said Trump.
Ratcliffe was appointed as the National Intelligence Director in May 2020, eight months before Trump’s term ended. Prior to his role in intelligence, Ratcliffe served as a Congressman and a federal prosecutor in Texas.
Trump awarded Ratcliffe the National Security Medal in 2020, the highest honor for outstanding achievements in intelligence and national security.
Before entering the intelligence community, Ratcliffe frequently criticized the FBI and the Department of Justice. He openly spoke out against the “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation targeting Trump, highlighting procedural flaws in the FBI’s authorization to surveil Carter Page.
Currently, Ratcliffe serves as the Co-Chair of the American Security Center at the America First Policy Institute.
During Trump’s first term, Ratcliffe faced resistance during his confirmation process for the Intelligence Director role in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, opposed his nomination. Ultimately, Ratcliffe was confirmed by a party-line vote of 49 to 44.