Trump formally sends Ratcliffe nomination for DNI to Senate

President Trump formally sent his nomination for Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) to become the director of national intelligence (DNI) to the Senate Monday.

Ratcliffe had previously been considered to take on the head intelligence role, but he withdrew after public scrutiny over his experience. The representative currently sits on the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees and played a role in the House impeachment inquiry.

He would replace Dan Coats, who resigned last July. The position has been filled in an acting capacity since then.

I am pleased to announce the nomination of @RepRatcliffe (Congressman John Ratcliffe) to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished. John is an outstanding man of great talent!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020

Time has not changed the criticism of Ratcliffe among Democrats, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) condemning the representative for showing “a clear disrespect and distrust” of the intelligence community. 

Last week, Trump tapped Richard Grenell to fill in for acting DNI Joseph Maguire, who was reportedly pushed out after a senior DNI official briefed the House Intelligence Committee on Russian efforts to help the president get reelected. Later reports said the briefer may have overstated the threat.

Critics also denounced the president for choosing Grenell to fill the acting position, saying he based his decision to appoint the former U.S. spokesman at the United Nations on loyalty instead of experience.