The Senate approved the nomination of GOP Rep. John Ratcliffe to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI) on Thursday afternoon.
President Trump originally nominated Ratcliffe in 2019, but Democrats and members of the mainstream media smeared the Texas Republican for his opposition to Special Counsel Bob Mueller’s investigation and push for accountability within the intelligence community. The two agreed to withdraw the nomination in August of 2019.
....John has therefore decided to stay in Congress where he has done such an outstanding job representing the people of Texas, and our Country. I will be announcing my nomination for DNI shortly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
While remaining in Congress, Rep. Ratcliffe was a crucial player in the botched impeachment trial for President Trump. After withdrawing Ratcliffe's nomination, President Trump eventually nominated former Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, to serve as Acting DNI; Grenell has overhauled the intelligence community and exposed corruption within the system.
Ric Grenell was so devastating to the Deep State and congressional collusion hoaxers that they fast-tracked the confirmation of the very guy they spent last summer trying to destroy with lies and smears, just to get rid of Grenell. Pretty remarkable how effective he was as DNI.
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) May 21, 2020
During his second round of nomination hearings, Rep. Ratcliffe promised to be an objective leader of the intelligence community. He promised to relay "unvarnished" information to President Trump, regardless of whether the president would be pleased, and vowed that whistleblowers would receive full protection under the law, regardless of ideology:
"I want to make it very clear, if confirmed as DNI, every whistleblower -- past, present and future -- will enjoy every protection under the law," he said in a nomination hearing.
Ratcliffe was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 49-44:
Confirmed, 49-44: Executive Calendar #653 John L. Ratcliffe to be Director of National Intelligence @ODNIgov
— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) May 21, 2020
Senate confirms GOP TX Rep John Ratcliffe as DNI, 49-44
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 21, 2020
Congratulations, @RepRatcliffe! You will be the best DNI ever! #USA https://t.co/2iVS80aAMB
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 21, 2020
??CONFIRMED??
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) May 21, 2020
The United States Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as our new Director of National Intelligence. @ODNIgov
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Acting Intel Cmte Chair Rubio: The DNI’s role is crucial to our national security, and I look forward to working with Director Ratcliffe as he oversees the efforts of our nation’s 17 intelligence agencies.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 21, 2020
President Trump announced Ratcliffe's second nomination in February, to serve as the permanent DNI.
I am pleased to announce the nomination of @RepRatcliffe (Congressman John Ratcliffe) to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished. John is an outstanding man of great talent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020
During his short tenure as Acting Director of National Intelligence, Amb. Grenell took decisive action against the corruption within the intelligence community. Ratcliffe will likely follow suit, as the intelligence community is encompassed by unmasking scandals.
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