The elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, has appointed John Ratcliffe as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe is a close ally of Trump who previously held the position of director of national intelligence at the end of the president's first term. Ratcliffe served as the nation's top spy from late May 2020 until Trump completed his term in January 2021, according to news agency Reuters.
In addition to his work in intelligence, Ratcliffe was also co-chair of the Center for American Security, a think tank that supports Trump's positions. During the 2024 campaign, he advised the former Republican president on national security issues. Importantly, Ratcliffe is a figure close to Trump’s inner circle and has been involved in his political decisions in the past.
On the other hand, the elected president has also selected Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is a Fox News commentator and veteran, known for expressing his disagreement with policies considered to be 'woke' carried out by Pentagon leaders, including its top military officer. Hegseth's appointment could signal a shift in U.S. defense policy, aligning it more with Hegseth's conservative and critical views. In this regard, Hegseth's arrival at the Department of Defense could mean a significant change in the direction of U.S. military policies.
