President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday his choice of former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe as the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency, surprising many who anticipated the role would go to Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a high-profile Indian-American Republican insider and former House staffer.
Trump’s decision marks a reunion with Ratcliffe, who previously served as director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term in 2020 and has been a staunch Trump ally.
Ratcliffe’s return to the intelligence community as CIA chief cements his legacy as a controversial but loyal figure in Trump’s circle. Known for his public opposition to claims of Russian interference and criticism of the FBI’s surveillance practices, Ratcliffe has been celebrated by Trump for “exposing” what he has called “fake Russian collusion” as well as his stance on the Hunter Biden laptop issue. Trump’s statement praised Ratcliffe as a “warrior for truth and honesty” and promised that Ratcliffe would protect constitutional rights while strengthening national security.
The selection bypassed Kash Patel, who had been widely viewed as the likely candidate for the CIA role due to his instrumental work with the Trump administration.
Patel, who has served in various high-level defense and intelligence roles, is known for his involvement in drafting the controversial “Nunes Memo,” which critiqued the Justice Department’s surveillance methods. His work impressed Trump and landed him key roles, including as Senior Director of Counterterrorism at the National Security Council.
While Ratcliffe’s appointment is a significant moment, it also revives criticism from Democrats and former intelligence officials who previously accused him of using declassified intelligence to target Trump’s political opponents. Ratcliffe has denied these claims, and Trump underscored his confidence in Ratcliffe’s integrity and commitment to the truth, touting Ratcliffe as the first person to have held both of America’s top intelligence positions.
As Ratcliffe prepares to step into the role, speculation grows over Patel’s future within Trump’s administration, with many still expecting him to receive a prominent position given his extensive background and rapport with Trump.
