US President-elect Donald Trump picks former DNI John Ratcliffe as head of CIA
On Tuesday, US President-elect Donald Trump announced he had chosen former National Intelligence director John L Ratcliffe to be the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Previously, it was believed that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel, a former Republican House staff member of Indian descent, might be chosen as the CIA director. However, Trump has chosen Ratcliffe as the head of the CIA.
Ratcliffe, a trusted associate of Trump, held the position of director of national intelligence at the conclusion of his first term in 2020. Ratcliffe was appointed as the country’s leading spy in May 2020, eight months prior to Trump’s departure from office, according to news agency Reuters.
A previous member of the House of Representatives and US attorney for Texas, Ratcliffe faced no backing from Senate Democrats during his confirmation.
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“From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public. When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People,” Trump said in a statement.
“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions. He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” he added.
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As the director of National Intelligence (DNI), Ratcliffe faced accusations from Democrats and former intelligence officials of declassifying information for Trump and his Republican associates to use against political adversaries, including Joe Biden, who was then Trump’s presidential competitor, a claim Ratcliffe’s office has refuted.
