Posted on 01/23/2025 12:25:46 PM PST by RoosterRedux
The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet.
Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA, the nation’s premier spy agency. The Texas Republican is a former federal prosecutor who emerged as a fierce Trump defender while serving as a congressman during Trump’s first impeachment.
The vote was 74-25.
At his Senate hearing last week, Ratcliffe said the CIA must do better when it comes to using technology such as artificial intelligence to confront adversaries including Russia and China. He said the United States needed to improve its intelligence capabilities while also ensuring the protection of Americans' civil rights.
Ratcliffe said that if confirmed, he would push the CIA to do more to harness technologies such as AI and quantum computing while expanding use of human intelligence collection.
“We’re not where we’re supposed to be,” Ratcliffe told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Democrats raised questions about Ratcliffe's objectivity and whether his loyalty to Trump would prompt him to politicize his position and blind him to the duties of the job. Concerns from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., forced the Senate's Republican leaders to postpone Ratcliffe's confirmation vote, which originally was scheduled for Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtae.com ...
Nice vote...
Anyone getting tired of so much winning? I’m sure not.
With the stand up on the DNI structure i didn’t think the Dir\CIA had cabinet rank anymore!
I’m impressed by Ratcliff. He’s hella smart.
My apologies for complaining, but the worthless Lloyd Austin III was confirmed as Sec. of Defense by the senate the DAY AFTER Biden was inaugurated.
Just sayin’.
Two so far? What else do the Senators have to do?
Dems will let the process proceed if the GOP promises to let the December adjournment last an extra twenty days. Third nominee approval may be done by then.
The job is to protect the country - NOT to give jobs to psychopaths. Ratcliffe can do this: Fewer adventures - - more old fashioned country protection...
Glorious!
Stick it to ‘em!
He’s special! He has The Card!
“Anyone getting tired of so much winning? I’m sure not.”
Lovin’ it! :)
If I get more giddy about all this winning, I’m going to have to take the weekend off.
I believe the democrats had to change the law that said military generals cannot be appointed to lead the DOD. Naturally.
More good news for the day.
I think the dissolution of the CIA is a better option. I can dream.
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