Updated Nov 12, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump considering former Rep. Chris Stewart for DNI

Andrew Solender

Rep. Chris Stewart holding up a piece of paper while sitting behind a committee dais. — Then-Rep. Chris Stewart during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Nov. 13, 2019. Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.

President-elect Trump is considering former Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) to be his director of national intelligence, two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

Why it matters: Stewart, who served on the House Intelligence Committee during his decade in Congress, was a contender for the role during Trump's first term in 2020.

Trump reportedly dumped Stewart after learning the Utahn had criticized him as "our Mussolini" in 2016. The role instead went to Ric Grenell.

What we're hearing: Stewart is on Trump's shortlist and is interested in the role, the sources told Axios.

First elected to Congress in 2012, Stewart resigned last September due to his wife's health issues.
He co-founded lobbying firm Skyline Capitol with Robert O'Brien, a fellow Utahn and Trump's former national security advisor.

Zoom in: Despite his criticism in 2016, Stewart emerged as a staunch ally of Trump during his presidency.

Stewart vigorously defended the president as an Intelligence Committee member during Trump's first impeachment in 2019.
A Trump transition spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Trump considering former Rep. Chris Stewart for DNI

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