On Friday evening, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Rep. John Ratcliffe to become the new Director of National Intelligence.
“Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished. John is an outstanding man of great talent!” Trump said in a tweet.
I am pleased to announce the nomination of @RepRatcliffe (Congressman John Ratcliffe) to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished. John is an outstanding man of great talent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020
Ratcliffe is a former federal prosecutor, having served as Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security for the Eastern District of Texas.
He currently represents Texas’ 4th District, which he was elected to in 2015. He also serves on the House Intelligence Committee, as well as the committees on Judiciary and Ethics.
Trump had fired the former Director of National Intelligence, Joseph Maguire, last week. He had served in the post in an acting capacity since August 2019.
Trump reportedly became angry with Maguire after he briefed Congress on intelligence officials’ assessment that Russia was interfering with the 2020 election to help Trump win.
Shortly after, Trump had named Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany and special envoy to Serbia and Kosovo, as the new acting Director of National Intelligence to replace Maguire.
“I am pleased to announce that our highly respected Ambassador to Germany, @RichardGrenell, will become the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Rick has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him,” Trump tweeted on Feb. 19.
“I would like to thank Joe Maguire for the wonderful job he has done, and we look forward to working with him closely, perhaps in another capacity within the Administration!” he added.
Grenell tweeted a message to Ratcliff shortly after Trump’s announcement on Friday.
Congratulations, @RepRatcliffe! We are ready for you and grateful for your willingness to serve. https://t.co/38D4B6b9qS
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 28, 2020
“Congratulations, @RepRatcliffe! We are ready for you and grateful for your willingness to serve,” Grenell said.
