Trump announces pick to lead national intelligence

WASHINGTON, 29 July 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas would be nominated as new director of national intelligence. 

Dan Coats, the current Director, will depart the position on Aug. 15.

"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," Trump said on Twitter. 

Coats, a Republican who served in the Senate in the 1990s and was elected again in 2010, was appointed in March 2017. 

"I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country. The Acting Director will be named shortly," Trump added. 

The Senate must still confirm Ratcliffe as the top intelligence official. 

The announcement came hours after reports began to circulate Coats' departure was imminent. 

Coats has been at odds with Trump throughout his tenure, clashing with the U.S. president over North Korea and Russia. 

In July 2018, Coats publicly refuted Trump on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. He also told a Senate panel in January that North Korea was unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons capabilities despite Trump's talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.