Posted on 02/28/2020 4:01:30 PM PST by jazusamo
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) quickly called on Republicans to oppose GOP Rep. John Ratcliffe's nomination to be the next director of national intelligence after Trump announced the decision on Friday.
With this nomination, President Trump has shown once again his lack of respect for the rule of law and the intelligence community. Republicans must join Democrats in swiftly rejecting the nomination of Mr. Ratcliffe," Schumer said in a statement.
Trump announced via tweet that he had picked Ratcliffe, viewed as a stalwart loyalist to the president, for the top intelligence community position. Trump had previously nominated the Texas lawmaker last year but pulled the nomination amid opposition from GOP senators and reports that he had padded his resume.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that nothing had changed since Trump last yanked Ratcliffe's nomination to address those concerns.
The last time this nomination was unsuccessfully put forward, serious bipartisan questions were raised about Rep. Ratcliffes background and qualifications. Its hard for me to see how anything new has happened to change that," he said.
Democrats can't block Ratcliffe's nomination on their own. Trump will only need a simple majority to get him confirmed, and Republicans control 53 seats.
That will put an immediate spotlight on Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a member of the Intelligence Committee, as well as other potential swing votes like Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Democrats would need four Republican votes to block Ratcliffe's nomination on the Senate floor.
Trump has lacked a Senate-confirmed director of national intelligence since last year, when Dan Coats, a former senator, stepped down.
Since then hes had two acting DNIsJoseph Maguire and, now, Richard Grenell, who is also serving as the U.S. ambassador to Germany.
Trumps decision to push forward with Ratcliffe comes as hes shook up the intelligence community in the wake of Senate Republicans acquitting him of two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Schumer added that by taping Ratcliffe Trump was replacing one highly partisan operative with another, a reference to Grenell, who has garnered steep criticism from Democrats.
At a time when the Russians are interfering in our elections, we need a nonpartisan leader at the helm of the Intelligence Community who sees the world objectively and speaks truth to power, and unfortunately neither Acting Director Grenell nor Rep. Ratcliffe comes even close to that, Schumer added.
Maybe Chuckie should go on vacation himself...in a cell at GITMO.
Whadda arrogant, useless POS.
Time to smoke out the Rats in the GOP
All part of the plan, 16 dimensional chess
Chuck U, it is definitely not your call. Go eat your cheese cake and STFU.
If Chuckie Schmuckie hates the guy, you know he’s an excellent choice.
Since this nominee is so strongly opposed I would say President Trump picked the right man for the job.
You’re both dead on the mark!
At a time when the Russians are interfering in our elections, we need a nonpartisan leader at the helm of the Intelligence Community
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Like Clapper...../s
It doesnt matter WHO Trump picked, the candidate would be DESTROYED by Schmuckie and San Fran Nan. The Democrats are sooooo predictable. I do not remember the Republicans EVER opposing so many people for jobs in a democrat Admin.
The Left would be NO WHERE without their Big Media Allies who also set out to destroy ANY Republican.
Trump is in win/win situation. If they vote no on Radcliffe, then he can continue with Grenell for another 6 months. Plus he smokes out the senators on the Intelligence Committee who will only support a deep state hack.
Schmuckie is such a negative, vexatious person.
Plus he never does anything in the interests of America.
He should be shunned, even here at FR.
Life would be better with giving him the he-who-should-not-be-named treatment.
Shut up chuck.
Yep, it takes a lot of stupidity to say something like that after all that’s happened but Chuckie qualifies.
all the men who do not like Trump... is it for the reason men strive to get ahead.. get as far to the top ladder.... and no matter how they try, some dont feel satisfied and look at Trump with man’s jealousy?
Trump made it and they dont like it? and men who support Trump are not the jealous type and can see him President and be comfortable with it.
This
Lets Wrap This FReepathon Up, Folks Donate Today!
DNI John Ratcliffe should be urged to do a political/financial colonoscopy on Chuckie Schumer.
At times like this I always remember Obamas AG Eric Holder proudly proclaiming that he was Obamas Wingman.
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