Trump taps 30-year CIA vet to serve as deputy director

President Trump announced Wednesday that he plans to appoint Vaughn Bishop, a 30-year CIA veteran, to serve as deputy director of the agency.

Bishop has held multiple roles at the CIA over the course of his career. He oversaw counterterrorism operation overseas, led agency analytic efforts in Asia, Latin America and Africa, and served as vice chair of the National Intelligence Council.

He retired from the CIA in 2011, but returned for a stint as the agency’s ombudsman for analytic objectivity, according to a press release.

{mosads}The appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

“As a career officer, this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Bishop said in a statement. “I have tremendous respect for the men and women of the Agency, and I look forward to serving alongside them in pursuit of CIA’s vital mission.”

Bishop will fill the role of deputy director that was previously held by Gina Haspel. She was confirmed to be the new CIA director in May.

“Vaughn is a superb choice. I cannot express how pleased I am that he has agreed to return to CIA. He will help empower every Agency officer to advance CIA’s mission in concrete and measurable ways,” Haspel said in a statement to the agency.

Haspel was nominated to the post earlier this year after then-CIA director Mike Pompeo was tapped to serve as secretary of State. Her selection was controversial over her role in the George W. Bush-era interrogation program that many say constituted torture, but the Senate ultimately voted to confirm her, 54-45.