John Ratcliffe has been confirmed as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) following a Senate vote. This marks the second major appointment under the second Trump administration, coming shortly after Marco Rubio’s confirmation as Secretary of State earlier this week.
The White House announced the confirmation on X, stating, “@JohnRatcliffe’s confirmation as Director of the CIA marks a significant step in advancing President Trump’s vision to restore America’s strength on the world stage.”
The Senate confirmed Ratcliffe’s appointment with 74 votes in favor and 25 against, while one senator abstained. Although only a simple majority was required, Ratcliffe’s confirmation saw a clear margin of 49 votes. The vote took place during the first session of the 119th Congress.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation makes him the first individual to serve as both the CIA Director and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). He previously held the DNI role from May 2020 to January 2021.
As DNI, Ratcliffe prioritized efforts to secure a strategic advantage over the People’s Republic of China and oversaw several high-profile counterterrorism operations. Under his leadership, the US Intelligence Community elevated space as a priority intelligence domain by integrating the US Space Force as its 18th member. For his contributions, he was awarded the National Security Medal, the nation’s highest honor for achievements in intelligence and national security.
Before his tenure as DNI, Ratcliffe represented Texas’s 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives for over five years. As a congressman, he was a key policymaker on national security issues, serving on the House Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Judiciary committees.
Ratcliffe’s extensive experience in intelligence and security makes him a pivotal figure in shaping US intelligence strategy in the coming years, with a focus on countering global threats and advancing national security priorities.
