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Trump again nominates Rep. John Ratcliffe to be director of national intelligence Trump again nominates Rep. John Ratcliffe to be director of national intelligence
(32 minutes later)
President Trump announced on Friday that he would nominate Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Tex.) as the next director of national intelligence, turning to a vocal political ally after dismissing his previous acting intelligence director amid new questions of election interference by Russia.President Trump announced on Friday that he would nominate Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Tex.) as the next director of national intelligence, turning to a vocal political ally after dismissing his previous acting intelligence director amid new questions of election interference by Russia.
In a tweet, Trump called Ratcliffe “an outstanding man of great talent” who had hoped to officially nominate last year.In a tweet, Trump called Ratcliffe “an outstanding man of great talent” who had hoped to officially nominate last year.
“Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished,” Trump said, an apparent reference to an inspector general’s report about the FBI’s handling of an investigation of the Trump campaign and whether it was coordinating with Russians.“Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished,” Trump said, an apparent reference to an inspector general’s report about the FBI’s handling of an investigation of the Trump campaign and whether it was coordinating with Russians.
Trump sought to nominate Ratcliffe last year, but his selection met with stiff resistance in Congress where lawmakers raised questions about his credentials and whether he padded his resume.Trump sought to nominate Ratcliffe last year, but his selection met with stiff resistance in Congress where lawmakers raised questions about his credentials and whether he padded his resume.
Ratcliffe withdraws from consideration for intelligence chief less than a week after Trump picked himRatcliffe withdraws from consideration for intelligence chief less than a week after Trump picked him
It was not clear that Ratcliffe would fare any better the second time. Not only did he face opposition from Democrats, but key Senate Republicans were not enthused about his nomination and signaled that the White House should withdraw it.It was not clear that Ratcliffe would fare any better the second time. Not only did he face opposition from Democrats, but key Senate Republicans were not enthused about his nomination and signaled that the White House should withdraw it.
Congressional and intelligence officials said at the time that Ratcliffe was a relatively disengaged member of the House Intelligence Committee and was not well known among the intelligence agencies.Congressional and intelligence officials said at the time that Ratcliffe was a relatively disengaged member of the House Intelligence Committee and was not well known among the intelligence agencies.
Trump, however, did not see Ratcliffe’s lack of experience as disqualifying. When he first proposed the congressman last July, he said he hoped he would “rein in” U.S. intelligence agencies that had “run amok.” Trump has long feuded with the intelligence community and blamed current and former officials for trying to undermine him, both as a candidate and in office.Trump, however, did not see Ratcliffe’s lack of experience as disqualifying. When he first proposed the congressman last July, he said he hoped he would “rein in” U.S. intelligence agencies that had “run amok.” Trump has long feuded with the intelligence community and blamed current and former officials for trying to undermine him, both as a candidate and in office.
Trump to name Richard Grenell, U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting head of intelligenceTrump to name Richard Grenell, U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting head of intelligence
After Ratcliffe’s nomination flamed out, Trump installed Joseph Maguire, a retired admiral and then director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to become the acting intelligence director. Maguire was quickly enmeshed in controversy over a whistleblower complaint submitted to his office that became the grounds for Trump’s impeachment.After Ratcliffe’s nomination flamed out, Trump installed Joseph Maguire, a retired admiral and then director of the National Counterterrorism Center, to become the acting intelligence director. Maguire was quickly enmeshed in controversy over a whistleblower complaint submitted to his office that became the grounds for Trump’s impeachment.
Last week, Trump dismissed Maguire, replacing him with another loyalist, Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany. Trump was angry at Maguire after a member of his staff testified before Congress that Russia had “developed a preference” for Trump in the 2020 election.Last week, Trump dismissed Maguire, replacing him with another loyalist, Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany. Trump was angry at Maguire after a member of his staff testified before Congress that Russia had “developed a preference” for Trump in the 2020 election.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.