Intelligent Choice

President taps local rep for Cabinet-level post

President Donald Trump reached deep in the heart of East Texas for his choice to succeed departing National Intelligence Director Dan Coats.

The president tapped U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, the Republican who has represented Texarkana and the 4th District since 2015, for the Cabinetlevel position. Coats is stepping down August 15 after serving since March 2017. Ratcliffe’s nomination will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. We don’t think there will be much of a problem. Ratcliffe is an Illinois native and went to SMU law school. He has been on the faculty of several law schools and in 2004 was appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice as Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security for the Eastern District of Texas. That was followed by an appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas before his run and victory over U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall in the 4th District.

In Congress, he serves on the House Intelligence Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Those assignments have given him great preparation for the Cabinet position.

Additionally, he chairs the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. Few things will be more important to our national defense in the coming years than cybersecurity.

Ratcliffe has earned a reputation as being very conservative, which is no doubt one of the reasons the president chose him. That choice will play well with President Trump’s base.

Chances are it won’t make Democrats and the president’s foes any too happy, though.

But, thanks to a 2013 rule change by Democrats, it only takes a simple majority for confirmation. And Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.

Looks like another win for the president. And for our national security.