Donald Trump appoints John Ratcliffe as CIA director

U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe, a close ally who was director of national intelligence at the end of his first term, to serve as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

“I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions. 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,” Trump said in a statement announcing the nomination.

Ratcliffe, who previously led the nation’s intelligence community during Trump’s first term, would be the first person to have held both the CIA and DNI roles if confirmed.

Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump supporter, served as director of national intelligence from May 2020 until January 2021, overseeing U.S. intelligence during a period of significant international challenges and domestic tensions. 

Recently, he co-chaired the Center for American Security, a think tank aligned with Trump’s policy positions, and advised the president-elect on national security during the 2024 campaign.

In his previous tenure as DNI, Ratcliffe cited Iran’s military development, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and foreign election interference as priority issues. 

His track record as DNI has been marked by staunch positions, particularly on China and the Middle East, which may signal his approach if he assumes leadership of the CIA.

Since leaving office, Ratcliffe has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s approach to the Middle East, taking aim at its response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

In a June article, he argued that President Biden’s threat to withhold weapons from Israel over its actions in Gaza jeopardised a crucial US ally and emboldened adversaries in the region. Ratcliffe also warned that the administration had not shown enough firmness toward Iran.