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AFP
Washington
The US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence on Thursday, placing a close political ally of President Donald Trump in charge of a massive US spy community that Trump brands a troublesome “deep state”.
The Senate voted 49-44 on sharply partisan lines to approve Ratcliffe, a Republican congressman from Texas, ten months after he first withdrew from consideration for the job amid broad doubts about his qualifications.
He will lead the country’s 17 federal intelligence bodies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency, and be responsible for coordinating them with the White House.
In July, Trump forced out Dan Coats as director of national intelligence after longstanding tensions between the two, and then struggled to find a suitable replacement.
Ratcliffe was his first choice, but he dropped out after strong criticism from Democrats and tepid support from key Republicans.
Washington
The US Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence on Thursday, placing a close political ally of President Donald Trump in charge of a massive US spy community that Trump brands a troublesome “deep state”.
The Senate voted 49-44 on sharply partisan lines to approve Ratcliffe, a Republican congressman from Texas, ten months after he first withdrew from consideration for the job amid broad doubts about his qualifications.
He will lead the country’s 17 federal intelligence bodies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency, and be responsible for coordinating them with the White House.
In July, Trump forced out Dan Coats as director of national intelligence after longstanding tensions between the two, and then struggled to find a suitable replacement.
Ratcliffe was his first choice, but he dropped out after strong criticism from Democrats and tepid support from key Republicans.
