Despite Opposition, John Ratcliffe Confirmed For Top Intelligence Post - NPR

John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, appears at his May 5 confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Senate confirmed Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence in a 49-44 vote Thursday.

John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, appears at his May 5 confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Senate confirmed Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence in a 49-44 vote Thursday.

John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, as the new director of national intelligence, overseeing all 17 intelligence agencies.

He has served on the House Intelligence Committee since the beginning of 2019 but has far less experience than any previous director of national intelligence, a post created after the Sept.

The director of national intelligence speaks for the intelligence community as a whole, and along with the CIA director, traditionally takes part in the intelligence briefing delivered to the president most weekdays.

He was asked whether he believed a Senate Intelligence Committee report saying the Russians tried to help Trump in the 2016 election, or a House Intelligence Committee report saying the Russians didn't try to assist Trump.