Washington (Agencies): The US Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe, President Donald Trump’s nominee, as the new Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe, the former Director of National Intelligence and a former congressman from Texas, was approved with a majority vote of 74-25.
The confirmation saw bipartisan support, with 20 Democrats and one Independent joining Republicans in backing Ratcliffe’s nomination. This marks a significant step in Trump’s efforts to finalize appointments to his national security team, as the Republican-led Senate moves to confirm key officials in the administration.
Ratcliffe, known for his skepticism of intelligence agencies and criticism of investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, previously served as Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term. He has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies on national security and was involved in controversial intelligence discussions during his tenure.
During his recent Senate hearing, Ratcliffe pledged to strengthen the CIA’s efforts to counter threats from Russia and China. He also vowed to investigate the mysterious “Havana Syndrome,” a condition first reported among US embassy staff in Cuba in 2016, which has since been linked to over 1,500 suspected cases worldwide.
Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. While intelligence agencies remain divided on its cause, Ratcliffe committed to examining whether foreign adversaries could be responsible for targeting US personnel with a potential novel weapon.
Ratcliffe’s confirmation underscores the administration’s focus on addressing global security challenges and advancing US intelligence capabilities. He replaces outgoing CIA Director William J. Burns, with plans to lead the agency in a period marked by complex geopolitical threats and evolving national security priorities.