President Trump on Sunday announced that Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX), a loyal Trump ally, will replace Dan Coats as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
The announcement prompted immediate praise from many of his Republicans colleagues as they took to Twitter amid the President’s decision and congratulated the Texas Congressman.
“I am pleased to announce that highly respected Congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas will be nominated by me to be the Director of National Intelligence,” the President tweeted on Sunday.
“A former U.S. Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Country he loves. Dan Coats, the current Director, will be leaving office on August 15th. I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country. The Acting Director will be named shortly,” he added.
….be leaving office on August 15th. I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country. The Acting Director will be named shortly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2019
Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), praised the Commander in Chief’s choice: “President Trump has made [an] excellent nomination in @RepRatcliffe to be the Director of National Intelligence. John is a man of character, and I know he will bring strength and accountability in his new role. A great choice!”
President Trump has made a excellent nomination in @RepRatcliffe to be the Director of National Intelligence. John is a man of character, and I know he will bring strength and accountability in his new role. A great choice!
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) July 28, 2019
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expressed his gratitude to Dan Coats and said he is looking forward to working with Ratcliffe and will help him to prepare.
“I am very proud of and appreciative of the service Dan Coats rendered to our nation as DNI. He provided President @realDonaldTrump with seasoned and well thought out national security advice in a dangerous world. Dan also provided much needed coordination for our intelligence community and always had their back,” Graham said.
“Congressman Ratcliffe will be a worthy successor and has my full support. He understands the only way America can be safe is to be strong. I look forward to working with him as our nation deals with increasing dangers throughout the world. They include — but are not limited to: * Iranian nuclear breakout * increasingly aggressive North Korea * challenges from China and Russia * potential reemergence of ISIS. I will do all I can to help John and his team as they prepare for the challenges ahead,” the South Carolina Senator added.
Dan also provided much needed coordination for our intelligence community and always had their back.
Congressman Ratcliffe will be a worthy successor and has my full support. He understands the only way America can be safe is to be strong.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 28, 2019
I will do all I can to help John and his team as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 28, 2019
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) said, “Congratulations, @RepRatcliffe! We will miss you at @JudiciaryGOP, but I can’t think of a better person to serve as Director of National Intelligence.”
Congratulations, @RepRatcliffe! We will miss you at @JudiciaryGOP, but I can’t think of a better person to serve as Director of National Intelligence. https://t.co/dhWdQxHoUw
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) July 28, 2019
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Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) congratulated his colleague and wrote, “Congrats to my HPSCI colleague and next DNI, @RepRatcliffe, a former U.S. Attorney who understands the intricacies of the intelligence community as well as civil liberties. Great choice by POTUS.”
Nunes added, “Great news! Congrats to a great successor to American statesman Director Coats.”
Great news! Congrats to @RepRatcliffe a great successor to American statesman Director Coats. https://t.co/hxldoZd6GN
— Devin Nunes (@DevinNunes) July 28, 2019
Former South Carolina Congressman, Trey Gowdy, said, “Fantastic nomination. Smart, honest, fair, humble, and dedicated to national security. Great pick. Even better person.”
Fantastic nomination. Smart, honest, fair, humble, and dedicated to national security. Great pick. Even better person. https://t.co/bIAN2rXs6c
— Trey Gowdy (@TGowdySC) July 28, 2019
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) expressed, “Phenomenal choice from President Trump in John Ratcliffe—John has been an outstanding colleague and will be a strong, steady leader for the Intelligence Community. The House’s loss is the administration’s gain.”
Phenomenal choice from President Trump in John Ratcliffe—John has been an outstanding colleague and will be a strong, steady leader for the Intelligence Community. The House’s loss is the administration’s gain.
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) July 28, 2019
Rep. Jim Jordan exclaimed, “Congratulations to @RepRatcliffe! A great pick by the President. He’ll do an excellent job as Director of National Intelligence.”
Congratulations to @RepRatcliffe! A great pick by the President. He’ll do an excellent job as Director of National Intelligence.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) July 28, 2019
Rep. Matt Gaetz tweeted, “My colleague & friend @RepRatcliffe is an excellent choice for Director of National Intelligence. As a former US Attorney, he’ll ensure that justice is served fairly, & as DNI, he will protect America from all threats, foreign & domestic. I look forward to his swift confirmation.”
My colleague & friend @RepRatcliffe is an excellent choice for Director of National Intelligence. As a former US Attorney, he’ll ensure that justice is served fairly, & as DNI, he will protect America from all threats, foreign & domestic. I look forward to his swift confirmation.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) July 28, 2019
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President of Judicial Watch, Tom Fitton said, “Ratcliffe will have his work cut out for him. ODNI is Deep State Central — protecting (still!) Hillary Clinton while targeting @RealDonaldTrump.”
Ratcliffe will have his work cut out for him. ODNI is Deep State Central — protecting (still!) Hillary Clinton while targeting @RealDonaldTrump.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) July 28, 2019
We leave you with “Cryin’ Chuck” who is outraged:
“It’s clear Rep. Ratcliffe was selected because he exhibited blind loyalty to @realDonaldTrump with his demagogic questioning of Mueller. If Senate Republicans elevate such a partisan player to a position requiring intelligence expertise & non-partisanship, it’d be a big mistake,” he wrote.
It’s clear Rep. Ratcliffe was selected because he exhibited blind loyalty to @realDonaldTrump with his demagogic questioning of Mueller.
If Senate Republicans elevate such a partisan player to a position requiring intelligence expertise & non-partisanship, it’d be a big mistake. https://t.co/2uYP8vD39o
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 28, 2019
