WASHINGTON – US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office next month,Donald Trump announced on Sunday, after a tenure in which he was regularlyat odds with the president.
The departure of Coats — who has, however, sought to avoid directconfrontation with Trump during his time as Director of NationalIntelligence — is the latest high-profile exit from the mercurialpresident’s turnover-plagued administration.
Trump tweeted that Coats will leave on August 15, saying he plans tonominate Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, who serves on the Houseintelligence, judiciary and homeland security committees, to replace him.
“A former US Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Countryhe loves,” Trump wrote, also thanking Coats “for his great service to ourCountry”.
If Ratcliffe’s nomination is approved, Trump will get an intelligence chiefwho is more in synch with his views.
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In Congress, he has been a staunch defender of Trump and has criticised twoof the president’s nemeses, former FBI chief James Comey and specialcounsel Robert Mueller.
Ratcliffe has also said he has “seen no evidence” that Russian electionmeddling helped bring Trump to office, has backed the president’s assertionthat court-approved surveillance of his campaign amounted to spying, andhas supported his hawkish policy on Iran.
The choice of Ratcliffe was hailed by various Republicans — including HouseMinority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who tweeted that he “will bring strengthand accountability in his new role” — but drew criticism from otherquarters. -APP/AFP
