CIA nominee John Ratcliffe told senators Wednesday how he would rebuild the intelligence community in what he called “the most difficult national security environment in our nation's history.” Ta.
Ratcliffe, who served as director of national intelligence during President-elect Trump's first term, is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The committee will then vote on his nomination before the Senate votes to confirm him as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Ratcliffe cited the country's biggest threats: China, the border, the risk of a Russo-Ukrainian war and nuclear fallout, Iran, North Korea and “increasing collaboration between America's rivals.”
At a time when intelligence and law enforcement agencies perceive themselves to be front and center in the political arena, people familiar with Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital that he wants to “depoliticize” the agency. , said it is focused on “removing distractions” from its core mission of intelligence gathering. Intelligence.
Top 5 Moments from Pete Hegseth's Senate Confirmation Hearings
Mr. Ratcliffe is also expected to push for more aggressive espionage efforts, particularly against Beijing, where Chinese Communist Party operatives have spied on the United States for years.
“With the arrival of Trump and Ratcliffe, the days of China pillaging American businesses, infecting American infrastructure, and otherwise targeting and abusing American citizens are over. Jackals have long been the domain of lions until their heads are ripped off.” It can only be scavenged,” the official said.
In his opening statement, Ratcliffe suggested plans to increase the agency's ability to obtain information about humanity “in every corner of the earth, no matter how dark or how difficult.”
CIA nominee John Ratcliffe will testify Wednesday ahead of the confirmation vote. (Getty Images)
“We conduct insightful, objective, multi-source analysis and do not allow political or personal bias to cloud our judgment or influence our products,” Ratcliffe said in an opening statement. I will never forgive you.”
“We carry out covert operations at the direction of the President, go where no one else can go, and do what no one else can do. To all the brave CIA employees listening around the world, if this is what you If it sounds like what you signed up for, then buckle up and get ready to make a difference. If not, it's time to find a new job.”
Rubio touts foreign policy credentials to Senate to become America's top diplomat
Mr. Ratcliffe said he would try to hire agents who could be described as “bar fight doctors,” but he promised to thoroughly investigate unusual health cases, such as Havana syndrome.
Ratcliffe also wants to strengthen collaboration between the CIA and the private sector, potentially through rotations that allow CIA personnel to work in the private sector and mid-career hires for civilian employees at AI and technology companies. Possible options include allowing him to join the CIA. sauce.
Ratcliffe wants to “depoliticize” the agency, currently headed by Bill Burns. (Reuters/Ken Cedeno)
Candidates want to focus on expanding human intelligence. (AP Photo/Carolyn Custer)
Ratcliffe's hearings are expected to be more policy-focused than those of Trump's controversial nominees, such as Pete Hegseth, who was chosen to lead the Pentagon. Hegseth met with senators on the Armed Services Committee on Tuesday and was questioned about his drinking, sexual assault allegations and reports of financial mismanagement.
President Trump's choice of Tulsi Gabbard to oversee all intelligence agencies comes after she has opposed U.S. surveillance laws and shown closeness to U.S. adversaries in the past, especially former Syrian President Donald Trump. Some in the Senate have also expressed skepticism over the meeting with dictator Bashar al-Al. Asad. She has since withdrawn her opposition to the surveillance program, known as Section 702.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Gabbard's hearing has not yet been scheduled, nor has Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel.
President Trump's national security nominees are on track for at least one thing: the threat from China and the need to update technology and defenses to thwart the Chinese Communist Party's chronic attacks on U.S. infrastructure. is progressing to
Mike Walz, President Trump's nominee for national security adviser, recently told Fox Business, “We just have to stop trying to defend ourselves better.” “We need to start attacking.”
