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President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former Texas congressman John Ratcliffe as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Trump-Vance transition team announced Tuesday.
Ratcliffe represented Texas’ 4th Congressional District in the northeastern part of the state until he was tapped to serve as Trump’s director of national intelligence in 2020. His congressional seat was filled by U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Sherman.
“John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” Trump said in a statement. “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.”
Ratcliffe’s nomination will need to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate when Trump takes office. He was confirmed by the Senate, 49-44, to serve as director of national intelligence in 2020.
If confirmed, according to the announcement, Ratcliffe would become the first person to have led both the CIA and national intelligence.
Ratcliffe earned a reputation as one of Trump’s staunchest allies on Capitol Hill, defending the president during his impeachment hearings and gaining notoriety for berating former special counsel Robert Mueller during a congressional hearing.
His nomination to serve as director of national intelligence won strong support among Republicans.
“John did a fabulous job as DNI and I have every confidence he will lead the CIA better than anyone in history,” Fallon said in a text message on Tuesday after the announcement.
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