US Senate confirms John Ratcliffe as new CIA director

The US Senate voted 74-25 to confirm John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman and Trump’s Director of National Intelligence during the final eight months of his first term, as the new Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

21 Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in supporting his nomination, Caliber.Az reports, referencing US media.

Ratcliffe was sworn in shortly after the vote by Vice President JD Vance. The CIA issued a statement on January 23, evening, announcing his formal induction into the role.

While the vote showcased bipartisan support, it was not without challenges. Republican leaders encountered resistance in their efforts to expedite Ratcliffe's nomination. They were forced to navigate procedural hurdles before bringing the matter to a vote.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his reservations about Ratcliffe's suitability for the role, citing concerns over his ability to maintain independence in the face of political pressure. "Not because of our political difference, which of course exists — but because I am deeply worried that Ratcliffe will be unable to stand up to people like Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard, who are known to falsify intelligence. As CIA director, Ratcliffe will have to make decisions based on intelligence and fact,” Schumer remarked.

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, has been nominated by Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence.

During his confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe sought to address concerns about his political affiliations, assuring lawmakers that he would prioritize impartiality in intelligence-related decisions and refrain from imposing loyalty tests on CIA personnel.

This confirmation marks a departure from the contentious vote Ratcliffe faced in May 2020 when he was appointed as Director of National Intelligence. That vote passed narrowly, 49-44, amid significant Democratic opposition over his qualifications and alleged embellishment of national security credentials.

Meanwhile, the Senate is swiftly advancing on other high-level appointments under the new administration. Earlier this week, the Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, just hours after Trump’s inauguration. However, further nominations are expected to encounter delays, as Senate rules allow any senator to object, potentially extending the confirmation process over several days.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has prepared votes for Trump’s nominees for Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, and Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, with Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary nominee, anticipated to follow. Thune warned that the Senate might remain in session over the weekend if Democrats do not permit swift confirmations, accusing them of "stalling President Trump's nominees.”

“If Democrats want to spend their nights and weekends taking votes on uncontroversial nominees, we can do it that way," Thune declared on the Senate floor. "But one way or the other, these nominees will be confirmed.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev