President Trump is expected to tap Richard Grenell to serve as acting director of national intelligence, according to multiple reports. As the current U.S. ambassador to Germany, Grenell has been confirmed by the Senate for his current role and, under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, can head up the nation's 17-intelligence agencies as acting director.
Grenell would take over the reigns from current Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, who has led the group of national security agencies since the resignation of Dan Coats last summer. Richard Grenell is seen by many to be a loyalist of the president.
An amazing choice!!! @realDonaldTrump deserves someone he can trust and someone who knows how to get things done in this position.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 19, 2020
Congrats @RichardGrenell go get em. https://t.co/KAKUhYElDj
The so-called intelligence community is a rats’ nest of incompetence and corruption, and I can’t wait for their hysterical reaction to Grenell’s appointment. If they thought they’d win after what they pulled with John Ratcliffe, they were sorely mistaken. https://t.co/DkaIOxxzlH
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 19, 2020
A great Patrot, exceptional Ambassador, and amazing selection to be the US’ next Acting Director of National Intelligence, Ambassador @RichardGrenell! Congratulations!!
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) February 19, 2020
(Via Breitbart)
Trump’s decision to name an effective loyalist to the position of acting director of national intelligence is likely to rankle powerful intelligence community officials, especially in the wake of the president’s acquittal by the U.S. Senate on the highly partisan articles of impeachment that the U.S. House brought against him. When Trump had previously put Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) up for the director of national intelligence position, deep state-aligned Democrats freaked out claiming Ratcliffe was not experienced enough for the job—despite the fact he’s served on the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and has been focused on intelligence community issues during his several years in Congress. Under scrutiny on these fronts, Ratcliffe eventually withdrew from the appointment before the U.S. Senate took up his confirmation process—leaving the position open until now, where Trump is subbing Grenell into the role in an acting capacity.
The director of national intelligence is the nation's top intelligence official. The position oversees the Intelligence Community, consisting of 17 agencies responsible for investigating threats against the United States. The position was created in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.