Nov 12, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump selects former intelligence director John Ratcliffe to lead CIA

Erin Doherty

John Ratcliffe, former director of National Intelligence, speaks during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. — John Ratcliffe during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on April 18, 2023. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President-elect Trump announced Tuesday that he will nominate former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA during his second administration.

Why it matters: A Trump loyalist, Ratcliffe faced accusations of politicizing his post as director of national intelligence in Trump's first term. In announcing the pick, Trump thanked him for "exposing fake Russian collusion" and "telling the truth" about Hunter Biden's laptop — signs the president-elect sees him as aligned with his political goals.

Driving the news: Trump in an announcement said that Ratcliffe "will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH."

The big picture: Ratcliffe, a former member of Congress from Texas, served as the director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021 during Trump's first administration.

Trump previously nominated Ratcliffe as DNI in 2019 but he withdrew after some senior Republicans quietly opposed his nomination, and amid reports he had overstated his experience. Trump nominated him successfully a year later.

Editor's note: this is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Trump selects former intelligence director John Ratcliffe to lead CIA

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