Trump taps ex-DNI John Ratcliffe to lead CIA

"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.

By Ben Whedon

Published: November 12, 2024 5:47pm

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that he would appoint former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to serve as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director.

A former Texas congressman, Ratcliffe served in the first Trump administration as DNI, replacing Dan Coats in 2020.

"I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions," Trump announced in a statement. "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."

He further touted Ratcliffe's willingness to break with the intelligence community in asserting that Hunter Biden's laptop was real.