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WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has selected John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence (DNI) and Texas congressman, as his pick for CIA director. Ratcliffe’s appointment highlights Trump’s preference for loyalists in key positions. The former president praised Ratcliffe for his role in advancing Trump’s political narratives during his first term.
"From exposing fake Russian collusion to catching the FBI’s abuse of civil liberties, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for truth and honesty," Trump said in his announcement. Ratcliffe’s tenure as DNI was marked by controversy, as he released unverified intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election against the objections of senior intelligence officials. Critics argued these moves were intended to benefit Trump politically ahead of the 2020 election.
Ratcliffe, who represented Texas’ 4th Congressional District from 2015 to 2020, first emerged as a staunch Trump ally during the former president’s initial impeachment proceedings. His loyalty and partisan approach were pivotal in Trump’s decision to nominate him as DNI in 2019. However, Ratcliffe withdrew his candidacy amid scrutiny over exaggerated claims in his national security credentials. Despite these concerns, Trump re-nominated Ratcliffe in 2020, and he was confirmed by the Senate in a narrow, party-line vote.
During his time as DNI, Ratcliffe played a central role in one of Trump’s key political strategies: undermining the credibility of investigations into Russian election interference. His release of raw intelligence data, which some intelligence experts warned was misleading and incomplete, fueled partisan debates and intensified concerns about the politicization of the intelligence community.
Loyalty in the Face of Controversy
Ratcliffe’s loyalty was tested during the 2020 election and subsequent presidential transition. Despite his allegiance to Trump, Ratcliffe reportedly informed the then-president and his allies that there was no substantial evidence of foreign election interference or widespread voter fraud — claims that Trump frequently used to question the election’s legitimacy. This assertion later made Ratcliffe a witness in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s criminal investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
While Ratcliffe’s selection as CIA director is expected to draw praise from Trump’s base, it will likely reignite concerns among critics who view his record as emblematic of the former president’s efforts to weaponize the intelligence apparatus.
Currently serving as co-chair at the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump’s agenda, Ratcliffe’s return to government positions him to once again influence U.S. intelligence policies. His appointment underscores Trump’s enduring reliance on a close circle of loyalists as he builds a new team ahead of his potential 2024 White House bid.
