All articles tagged with #john ratcliffe
The CIA has declassified 71 presidential briefs from the Clinton and Bush years showing warnings that Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda were determined to strike the United States—potentially via hijackings or attacks on U.S. soil—with limited intelligence and ongoing uncertainty about the network’s exact plans ahead of 9/11, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe calling the release an act of transparency.
Russia says it successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of over 6,700km, launched from Arkhangelsk and hitting the Kamchatka test site, days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s Moscow visit; Moscow says Ratcliffe did not meet Putin. The report also notes Zelensky ordering Ukraine’s military to boost long-range drone strikes to about 1,000 per day and ongoing Russian strikes on Kyiv as the war intensifies.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow for a rare, unannounced visit, with officials not publicly confirming the trip but flight-tracking data showing a U.S. government plane moving between Washington and Moscow. The visit comes as Ukrainian forces intensify attacks inside Russia, including near the capital, and it marks one of the highest-profile U.S. engagements with Moscow in years; the last CIA director to visit Russia was William Burns in 2021.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana to meet Cuban intelligence officials and Raulito Castro to discuss intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and the possibility of U.S.–Cuba engagement, conditioned on Cuba making fundamental changes as the island grapples with a severe fuel shortage worsened by sanctions and a broader economic crisis.
Cuba said CIA Director John Ratcliffe led a U.S. delegation to Havana to meet with the Interior Ministry. In a televised statement, Havana said Cuba does not threaten U.S. security, denied hosting foreign bases or terrorists, and noted there are no legitimate reasons to add Cuba to the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The meeting comes as Cuba faces a worsening energy crisis and as U.S.–Cuba tensions remain high, with Washington signaling openness to talks.
The U.S. intelligence community is wary of a potential second Trump administration due to past tensions, but finds some relief in Trump's selection of John Ratcliffe as CIA Director. Ratcliffe, seen as a professional choice, is preferred over other potential candidates like Kash Patel, who is viewed with skepticism. Concerns persist about Trump's approach to intelligence, including his handling of classified information and potential job losses under his proposed "Schedule F" plan. The community remains divided, with some officials supporting Trump, while others fear the politicization of intelligence and its impact on national security.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed John Ratcliffe as CIA director. Ratcliffe, who previously served as director of national intelligence, is known for his loyalty to Trump and his strong stance against China. His appointment follows a controversial tenure as DNI, where he faced criticism for politicizing intelligence and declassifying unverified information. Ratcliffe's nomination requires Senate confirmation, and he is seen as a more traditional choice compared to other rumored candidates.
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former Texas congressman John Ratcliffe as the director of the CIA, making him the first person to have led both the CIA and national intelligence if confirmed. Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump ally, previously served as director of national intelligence and has been a vocal defender of Trump during his impeachment hearings. His nomination will require Senate confirmation. Ratcliffe's initial nomination for national intelligence was controversial due to concerns about his qualifications and potential political bias.
Former President Donald Trump has selected John Ratcliffe, who previously served as his Director of National Intelligence, to be the new head of the CIA. This move marks a significant appointment in the intelligence community, reflecting Trump's continued influence and preference for loyalists in key positions.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has been appointed by Donald Trump to head the CIA during Trump's second term. Ratcliffe, known for his staunch defense of Trump during impeachment proceedings and his role in exposing alleged FBI abuses, previously served as Trump's principal intelligence advisor. Trump praised Ratcliffe for his commitment to truth and national security, highlighting his past achievements and his potential to serve in both top intelligence roles in the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced John Ratcliffe as his choice for CIA director in the upcoming administration. Ratcliffe, who previously served as Director of National Intelligence during Trump's first term and was a congressman from Texas, is set to become the first person to hold both of the nation's top intelligence positions. Trump praised Ratcliffe as a defender of constitutional rights and national security.
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate John Ratcliffe, a former Director of National Intelligence and close ally, as the director of the CIA. Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman, is known for his skepticism towards the nation's intelligence agencies. His confirmation is expected to face little resistance, as he was previously confirmed by a Republican-led Senate despite concerns about his lack of intelligence experience.
Donald Trump has selected John Ratcliffe as his CIA director, a move that has drawn criticism due to Ratcliffe's previous tenure as director of national intelligence, where he was accused of politicizing intelligence to benefit Trump. Ratcliffe, who was also considered for attorney general, is currently affiliated with the America First Policy Institute. His past actions, including releasing unverified information about Russian election interference, have been contentious, and he recently testified in a federal investigation related to the 2020 election.
Former Trump administration director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe appeared before the grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection and Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Ratcliffe joins other Trump administration officials, including Steven Miller and Ken Cuccinelli, who have been spotted at the federal court where the grand jury is held. Trump’s lawyers have attempted to prevent advisors like Ratcliffe from testifying, but have lost those demands. Special Counsel Jack Smith is investigating Trump’s potential involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection and any attempts to overturn the 2020 election federally.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe testified before a federal grand jury as part of the special counsel's criminal probe into the aftermath of the 2020 election. The investigation is focused on January 6 and other efforts to overturn the presidential election. Ratcliffe is of interest to investigators because he personally told Trump and his allies that there was no evidence of foreign election interference or widespread fraud. Trump had sought to block testimony from Ratcliffe and other top officials from his administration, but courts have rejected his executive privilege claims.