Trump Names John Ratcliffe To Lead CIA

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump introduced Tuesday that he’s nominating former Director of Nationwide Intelligence John Ratcliffe to guide the Central Intelligence Company. He additionally stated he had chosen former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and his longtime pal Steven Witkoff to be a particular envoy to the Center East.

In a flurry of bulletins, Trump additionally named Invoice McGinley, his Cupboard secretary in his first administration, as his White Home counsel.

Trump is rolling out a gradual stream of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration, working up to now at a sooner tempo and with out as a lot drama as his first transition following his 2016 victory.

A former Republican congressman from Texas, Ratcliffe served as director of nationwide intelligence for the ultimate yr and a half of Trump’s first time period, main the U.S. authorities’s spy businesses through the coronavirus pandemic. He’s a extra conventional decide for the position, which requires Senate affirmation, than some rumored loyalists pushed by a few of Trump’s supporters.

Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his meant nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. international coverage extra intently with Israel’s pursuits because it wages wars in opposition to Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Witkoff is a Florida actual property investor who’s serving as a chair of Trump’s inaugural committee. He additionally frolicked on the earth of New York actual property, the place Trump first made his mark as a public determine.

As intelligence director, he was criticized by Democrats for declassifying within the ultimate days of the 2020 presidential election Russian intelligence alleging damaging details about Democrats through the 2016 race regardless that he acknowledged it won’t be true.

Ratcliffe’s visibility rose as he emerged in 2019 as an ardent defender of Trump through the Home’s first impeachment proceedings in opposition to him. He was a member of Trump’s impeachment advisory group and strenuously questioned witnesses through the impeachment hearings.

After the Democratic-controlled Home voted to question Trump, Ratcliffe stated: “That is the thinnest, quickest and weakest impeachment our nation has ever seen.” He additionally forcefully questioned former particular counsel Robert Mueller when he testified earlier than the Home Judiciary Committee about his investigation into Russian interference within the 2016 election.

“I stay up for John being the primary particular person ever to serve in each of our Nation’s highest Intelligence positions,” Trump stated in a press release. “He can be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all People, whereas guaranteeing the Highest Ranges of Nationwide Safety, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

Huckabee has led paid tour group visits to Israel for years, often promoting the journeys on conservative-leaning information retailers.

“Mike has been an awesome public servant, Governor, and Chief in Religion for a few years,” Trump stated in a press release. “He loves Israel, and the individuals of Israel, and likewise, the individuals of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to result in Peace within the Center East!”

David Friedman, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel in his first time period, stated he was “thrilled” by Trump’s number of Huckabee.

Witkoff can also be the president-elect’s golf companion and was with him when he was the goal of a second assassination try at his golf membership in West Palm Seaside, Florida, in September.

Trump’s transition group didn’t supply particulars concerning the Center East envoy position, however Trump, in a press release stated, “Steve can be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”

The number of Witkoff follows a sample for Trump in placing individuals near him in pivotal roles on the Center East portfolio. Eight years in the past he appointed his former company lawyer Jason Greenbaltt as his particular consultant for worldwide negotiations and relied on his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as his private envoy in talks within the area.