I am pleased to announce that highly respected Congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas will be nominated by me to be the Director of National Intelligence. A former U.S. Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Country he loves. Dan Coats, the current Director, will....— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2019
ABC News Online: Donald Trump says national intelligence director Dan Coats will resign
US director of national intelligence Dan Coats is leaving his job next month, ending a two-year tenure marked by President Donald Trump's clashes with intelligence officials.
Mr Trump announced Mr Coats's August 15 departure in a tweet on Monday (AEST), in which he thanked Mr Coats for his service.
He said he would nominate Republican congressman John Ratcliffe for the post and name an acting official in the coming days.
Mr Ratcliffe has frequently defended Mr Trump, and he fiercely questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller last week during a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The thing that surprises me about Intelligence Director Dan Coats is that he lasted this long. He and President Trump had many differences, especially on Russia .... Trump's intelligence chief resigned after the White House repeatedly suppressed his warnings about Russian interference, New York Times reports (Business Insider). I am willing to bet that President Trump is happy to see him gone, and that he now has his own loyalist at the top of the intelligence community.
Update: I agree .... Why Did It Take Trump So Long to Drive Out Dan Coats? (Bloomberg)
More News On The Resignation Of U.S. National Intelligence Director Dan Coats
Trump says Coats is out as national intelligence director -- AP
Trump announces departure of US intelligence director Coats, frequent dissenter -- France 24
Trump says spy chief Coats stepping down, says will nominate Ratcliffe -- Reuters
Dan Coats: US intelligence chief leaves Trump administration -- BBC
Ratcliffe tapped to replace Coats as U.S. spy chief -- Reuters
Coats to step down, Trump tweets, as President says Ratcliffe will be nominated as next director of national intelligence -- CNN
Trump's intelligence pick is attempt to 'neutralise' spy agencies, say ex-officials -- The Guardian
Trump appoints loyalist to top intelligence post after ousting of man who produced scathing assessments of Russia -- The Independent
