Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has been confirmed as the new CIA Director, receiving strong bipartisan support in a 74-25 Senate vote. This marks the second successful cabinet appointment for President Trump's second term.
Ratcliffe's confirmation follows a 14-3 vote in favor by the Senate Intelligence Committee earlier this week. Having previously served as DNI from May 2020 to January 2021 during Trump's first term, Ratcliffe faced scrutiny regarding his qualifications and potential conflicts of interest due to his loyalty to the president. His initial appointment as DNI was ultimately approved along party lines.
Before his role as DNI, Ratcliffe represented Texas's 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives, starting in 2015. He also served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2019 until his appointment as DNI. Notably, Ratcliffe's confirmation for CIA Director has gained the backing of some Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
During his recent confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe addressed concerns about his leadership approach, stating his commitment to depoliticizing the agency and eliminating "wokeness" within its ranks. He emphasized his intention to modernize the CIA's technological capabilities, acknowledging the agency's need to keep pace with advancements in the private sector. Furthermore, sources indicate Ratcliffe will adopt a firm stance on China. Following Marco Rubio's confirmation, Ratcliffe becomes the second Trump nominee to secure congressional approval. The Republican-controlled Senate has pledged to expedite the confirmation process for the remaining nominees, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasizing their commitment to working extended hours to complete the task.
