On Thursday, the Senate easily confirmed John Ratcliffe as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), making him the second key figure to join the new administration’s national security and foreign policy team.
Ratcliffe, who had previously served as the director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term, was confirmed by a vote of 74-25. Earlier in the week, the Senate had confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
During his confirmation hearing on January 15, Ratcliffe assured lawmakers that he would not make hiring or firing decisions based on employees’ political views. The former Texas congressman also pledged to promote and hire CIA spies and analysts purely based on merit, addressing Trump’s push to eliminate diversity programs from the federal government.
Both Republicans and Democrats praised John Ratcliffe for his qualifications, highlighting his experience as a former member of the House Intelligence Committee and as a top federal prosecutor in Texas. The Senate Intelligence Committee voted 14-3 in favor of his nomination on Monday, with support from both parties.
During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe emphasized that he would stand firm against any political pressure from the White House, reassuring lawmakers that his decisions would be independent.
Ratcliffe assured the committee’s top Democrat, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, that during his time as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), he had never bowed to political pressure, stating, “That never took place, and it’s something I would never do.”
He also emphasized at his nomination hearing that he would prioritize addressing the growing threat from China. Additionally, Ratcliffe promised to enhance the CIA’s technological capabilities to improve intelligence gathering.
Ratcliffe expressed that the U.S. is currently facing one of the most difficult national security environments in its history. He pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party is determined to achieve global dominance in economic, technological, and military spheres. He also highlighted the rising threat of transnational criminal organizations flooding U.S. communities with violence and drugs. Additionally, Ratcliffe noted the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and warned that Iran is closer than ever to developing nuclear weapons.
