The Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as the new CIA director, marking the second major addition to President Trump’s Cabinet. Ratcliffe, previously the director of national intelligence, was confirmed with bipartisan support in a 74-25 vote, with 21 Democrats joining 53 Republicans in favor.
During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe emphasized the importance of technological advancements in intelligence, pledging to enhance the CIA’s use of artificial intelligence and other tools to counter threats from adversaries like Russia and China. He also assured lawmakers that he would keep politics out of intelligence operations and refrain from implementing loyalty tests for CIA personnel.
Democrats expressed concerns about Ratcliffe’s loyalty to President Trump, citing his past defense of the president and his oversight of intelligence agencies during contentious times. Despite these concerns, Ratcliffe’s experience and commitment to addressing America’s geopolitical challenges, particularly with China, won over several Democratic votes.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation comes just days after the Senate approved Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, signaling swift progress in assembling President Trump’s Cabinet as the new administration takes shape. Ratcliffe now faces the task of navigating complex global challenges while maintaining the integrity of the nation’s intelligence operations.