
The Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in a 74-25 vote on Thursday, making him the first individual to serve as both Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and CIA Director.
Ratcliffe, who previously held the role of DNI during President Donald Trump’s first term, is now the second Cabinet member to be approved in Trump’s new administration. Earlier this week, the Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
CIA Director Nominee @JohnRatcliffe: "In 2020, when a chairman of an intelligence committee misrepresented that a laptop owned by then candidate Biden's son was somehow a Russian intelligence operation… I stood in the breach. I stood alone and told the American people the truth… pic.twitter.com/5d75IK13BG
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 15, 2025
Ratcliffe’s unique career trajectory places him in a pivotal position to oversee U.S. intelligence operations. During his tenure as DNI, he was known for his staunch defense of intelligence integrity and his willingness to push back against political narratives.
The confirmation reflects bipartisan support for Ratcliffe, though it also highlighted lingering partisan divisions, as evidenced by the 25 votes against him.
During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe faced rigorous questioning from senators, including newly elected Democrat Senator Adam Schiff (CA). The exchange between Ratcliffe and Schiff became a focal point of the proceedings.
Ratcliffe directly criticized Schiff for misleading the public in 2020 by suggesting that Hunter Biden’s laptop was part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
“In 2020, when a chairman of an intelligence committee misrepresented that a laptop owned by then-candidate Biden’s son was somehow a Russian intelligence operation… I stood in the breach. I stood alone and told the American people the truth about that,” Ratcliffe said, referring to Schiff’s role as House Intelligence Committee Chairman at the time.
As DNI, Ratcliffe gained a reputation for prioritizing transparency and pushing for the declassification of intelligence to inform the American public. He was instrumental in exposing attempts to politicize intelligence and called out foreign threats to U.S. democracy.
His confirmation as CIA Director signals a continuation of these priorities under President Trump’s new administration, with an emphasis on bolstering U.S. intelligence capabilities and countering global threats.
While Ratcliffe received broad support from both Republicans and some Democrats, his nomination also drew criticism. Opponents questioned his previous statements and decisions related to intelligence disclosures. However, his supporters argued that his experience and track record demonstrated his ability to lead the nation’s premier intelligence agency effectively.