Trump’s Pick for National Intelligence Director Approved by Senate Committee

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 5, 2020. Andrew Harnik/Pool via Reuters

Senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee on May 19 advanced President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence (DNI).

The full Senate will vote on Rep. John Ratcliffe’s (R-Texas) nomination “as soon as possible,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor in Washington.

“The president will have a Senate-confirmed DNI who can pursue the vital national security work of our tireless intelligence community while ensuring that the [intelligence community] stays out of politics and out of the papers,” he told colleagues.

Senators convened in the first committee hearing chaired by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who became acting chair after Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) stepped down amid questions of stock sales he made earlier this year.

Ratcliffe received support from Burr in early May after being grilled by lawmakers over his ties to Trump. Ratcliffe pledged to work with Congress to ensure proper oversight, Burr said.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks to members of the press as he arrives for a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on May 14, 2020. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Ratcliffe was advanced on a party-line vote, according to multiple senators. Republicans control the Senate 53–47, giving them control of each committee.

Few Republicans have signaled opposition to Ratcliffe, making it likely he will be confirmed.

Trump in February named Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting DNI, replacing Joseph Maguire. He said he was nominating Ratcliffe several weeks later.

Grenell’s actions include declassifying the list of Obama administration officials who requested the unmasking of Trump’s national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

Grenell has said he’s only serving in the role until his replacement is confirmed.