President-elect Donald Trump has nominated John Ratcliffe, his former Director of National Intelligence (DNI), as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe, a close Trump ally, served as DNI from May 2020 until Trump left office in January 2021. Recently, he co-chaired the Center for American Security, a think tank backing Trump’s policies, and advised Trump on national security during the 2024 campaign.
Trump praised Ratcliffe, saying he would uphold “the Highest Levels of National Security” and protect Americans’ Constitutional rights. Ratcliffe, formerly a House Representative, had promised objective and timely intelligence when first confirmed as DNI, despite Senate Democrats opposing his nomination over concerns about his experience and partisanship. With a Republican-led Senate next year, Ratcliffe is expected to be confirmed.
Ratcliffe has voiced strong positions on international issues, criticizing President Joe Biden’s approach to the Middle East and expressing concerns about threats from Iran and North Korea. He is also known as a “China hawk,” warning that Beijing aims to dominate the U.S. and the world economically and militarily. However, Democrats previously accused him of politicizing intelligence to benefit Trump, a charge Ratcliffe’s office denied.
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