Ratcliffe named new intel chief
>>WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced Republican lawmaker John Ratcliffe as his intelligence chief on Friday, sparking fresh controversy over a crucial position that has lacked a permanent office holder for months.
The 53-year-old Trump loyalist was nominated as director of national intelligence after Dan Coats stepped down in July last year, but withdrew from consideration after strong criticism of his credentials from Democrats and a tepid response from key Republicans.
Mr Trump instead named counterterrorism expert Joseph McGuire as acting director, overseeing the 17 agencies of the intelligence community including the CIA and NSA.
But he forced Mr McGuire out on Feb 20 after a senior intelligence official told Congress in a closed briefing that the Russians were again supporting Mr Trump’s bid for reelection.
The revolving door continued to spin as Mr Trump appointed another loyalist, Richard Grenell, two weeks ago. But the former ambassador to Germany had no relevant experience and was viewed as highly political.
Some intelligence experts view the latest nomination as a tactic by Mr Trump to insure that Mr Grenell stays on beyond the statutory limit for
“acting” directors who haven’t been approved by the Senate.
“The formal submission of his nomination will allow @RichardGrenell to continue to serve as Acting DNI past March 11 — and for another 210 days after Mr Ratcliffe’s rejection or withdrawal,” said University of Texas security law professor Steve Vladeck.
Mr Ratcliffe has been an outspoken Trump defender, frequently appearing on Fox News to spread conspiracy theories and deny the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia tried to boost the president’s election effort in 2016.
Mr Trump said on Friday he had held back Mr Ratcliffe’s formal nomination while an unspecified “inspector general report” was being prepared.
“John is an outstanding man of great talent!” he tweeted.
Mr Trump has been determined to place someone politically close to him as chief of the intelligence community, which he views as full of leakers.
He saw Mr Coats, who was DNI for three years, as a antagonist who protected the “deep state” that Mr Trump regards as a barrier to his agenda.
He was especially upset when a CIA analyst filed a whistleblower complaint in August on his Ukraine dealings that led to his being impeached for abuse of power.