Biden chooses diplomat William Burns for CIA
Former envoy was ambassador to Russia and Jordan
WASHINGTON — William Burns, a well-known figure in diplomatic circles around the world, is President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to lead the CIA, a selection likely to be embraced by the rank and file at the nation’s premier spy agency.
A former ambassador to Russia and Jordan, Burns, 64, had a 33-year career at the State Department under both Republican and Democra t ic presidents.
He rose t h rough the ranks of the diplomatic corps to become deputy secretary of state before retiring in 2014 to run the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace.
If confirmed, he would succeed Gina Haspel, the first female CIA director, who guided the agency under President Donald Trump.
Trump expressed skepticism about intelligence and frequently disparaged the assessments of U.S. spy agencies, especially about Russia’s interference in the 2016 election to help his campaign.
Burns has never been an American intelligence officer, but he has worked with many abroad.
“I developed enormous respect for my colleagues in the CIA,” Burns said in an online video statement Monday with Biden.