Senate Democrats frame Ratcliffe as Trump loyalist in confirmation process for top intelligence post

The Senate confirmation hearings opened Tuesday with Rep. John Ratcliffe, President Trump’s nominee to be director of national intelligence, vowing to provide information without bias or political influence.

“Let me be very clear,” Ratcliffe, a Texas Republian, told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “Regardless of what anyone wants our intelligence to reflect, the intelligence I will provide, if confirmed, will not be impacted or altered as a result of outside influence.”

Democrats on the GOP-controlled committee zero in on whether Ratcliffe would be able to provide pure intelligence while serving under a president who has been openly skeptical – even contemptible – of the U.S. intelligence community, and Trump having pulled his nomination in August amid bipartisan questions about whether he was unqualified to oversee 17 U.S. spy agencies. 

“I have to say that while I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt at this hearing, I don’t see what has changed since last summer when the president decided not to proceed with your nomination,” said Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner, the committee’s vice chairman.

Republican Sen. Richard Burr, the committee’s chairman, said after the hearing that he expected to schedule a vote soon.

A key vote on whether Ratcliffe is confirmed belongs to GOP Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate seeking another challenging reelection bid in Maine.

Collins on Tuesday asked Ratcliffe whether he could report to Trump accurate intelligence community’s information even if it meant risking his appointment, to which Ratcliffe replied “of course."

Trump as suggested the intelligence community is undermined by a “deep state” of officials opposed to his presidency.  

At least a half dozen intelligence leaders have been replaced over the last year, according to the Associated Press. 

If confirmed, Ratcliffe would replace former Indiana GOP Sen. Dan Coats, who resigned in July 2019.

Trump has since installed Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting director.