WASHINGTON— Today, The Heritage Foundation congratulated Heritage visiting fellow John Ratcliffe on his appointment as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration.  

Ratcliffe arrived at Heritage in 2023 after serving as the Director for National Intelligence (DNI) from May 2020 to the end of the first Trump administration. At Heritage, Ratcliffe focused on chairing a project to hold China accountable for COVID-19 and advising Heritage leadership on national security and intelligence policy. Prior to his service as DNI, Ratcliffe served in Congress, where he sat on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Intelligence committees.

Heritage President Dr. Kevin Roberts said: 

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to John Ratcliffe on his nomination to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. John's extensive experience in national security, intelligence, and public service makes him an excellent choice for this critical role. As a fellow Texan and current colleague, I've witnessed firsthand John's unwavering commitment to protecting our nation and fixing an intelligence community in desperate need of reform. 

“John's previous tenure as Director of National Intelligence makes him the perfect candidate to lead the nation’s largest intelligence agency. At a time when weaponized federal agencies have lost the trust of Americans, they need a patriot like John who will prioritize transparency, honesty, and accountability to the people they serve.” 

Victoria Coates, Vice President of Heritage's Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, said: 

“John Ratcliffe’s broad experience in law enforcement, Congress and in the intelligence community make him an excellent choice to head the CIA. He will serve President Trump with distinction and ensure that the agency supports presidential intelligence priorities. We will miss him at Heritage, but his appointment will make all Americans safer.”