John Ratcliffe promises to remove biases at the CIA and prioritize threats from China during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Austin: During his Senate confirmation hearing, John Ratcliffe, the CIA Director-designate, made some bold promises. He said he would cut out any political biases and make the agency a true meritocracy. He’s also set on making China the main focus for national security.
Ratcliffe, who previously served as the director of national intelligence, emphasized the need to return the CIA to its core mission of gathering foreign intelligence. He wants to do this in a way that’s completely apolitical.
He addressed CIA officers directly, urging them to prepare for a significant change. If they’re not on board, he suggested they might want to consider a different career path.
He referenced the CIA’s predecessor, the OSS, saying they looked for recruits who were both smart and tough. Ratcliffe believes today’s CIA needs that same fighting spirit, but with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds.
He pointed out that a recent audit showed many CIA employees were worried about the objectivity of their work. This is crucial since some of their findings end up in the President’s Daily Brief.
Ratcliffe has seen these issues firsthand, especially during the Trump-Russia investigation. He called out former officials who claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop was a Russian operation, saying he stood alone in telling the truth.
When asked if he would ever change intelligence assessments for political reasons, he firmly said no. He also promised to ensure the CIA would actively gather secrets from adversaries, especially China.
He recalled how he increased resources focused on China during his time as DNI, warning that it’s our biggest national security threat. Outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed this sentiment, calling China the defining threat of our generation.
Ratcliffe’s nomination seems to be on track for quick approval, with both parties on the intelligence panel showing support. However, some Democrats raised concerns about loyalty tests for civil servants, which he assured would not happen.
He acknowledged the current national security challenges, including issues at the southern border. Lawmakers agreed with his assessment, pointing out failures in the intelligence community’s responses to various crises.
Ratcliffe discussed how a politically driven agenda could distract from the CIA’s main job of collecting vital intelligence. He also touched on the importance of declassifying information while maintaining trust with allies.
He defended the controversial FISA Section 702, which allows intelligence agencies to gather communications from foreign targets without a warrant, saying it’s crucial for national security.
On the topic of COVID-19, Ratcliffe committed to improving communication to prevent future pandemics. He didn’t delve into the silencing of scientists who suggested the virus might have leaked from a lab in Wuhan, but he did express concern over the lack of resolution on that issue.
In his opening remarks, he thanked the current CIA Director for a smooth transition and acknowledged the agency’s new focus on China, which is a significant part of its budget.
Overall, Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing highlighted his commitment to refocusing the CIA on its core mission and addressing the pressing threats posed by China.
