The Heritage Foundation has expressed its support for John Ratcliffe's appointment as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in President-elect Donald Trump's forthcoming administration. Ratcliffe, who joined Heritage in 2023, previously served as the Director for National Intelligence from May 2020 until the conclusion of Trump's first term. During his time at Heritage, he led efforts to hold China accountable for COVID-19 and provided guidance on national security and intelligence matters.
Heritage President Dr. Kevin Roberts praised Ratcliffe's selection, stating: "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." He added that Ratcliffe's commitment to reforming the intelligence community is vital at a time when federal agencies face trust issues.
Victoria Coates, Vice President of Heritage's Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, also commended Ratcliffe's appointment: "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."
Ratcliffe has a history of public service, having served in Congress on various committees including Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Intelligence before his tenure as DNI.
