John Ratcliffe

John Ratcliffe is a prominent figure in U.S. national security and intelligence. 

Born on October 20, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois, Ratcliffe grew up in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and later moved to Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in 1989.

Ratcliffe began his career in law, working as a private attorney and professor before entering public service. He served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas from 2007 to 2008, where he gained experience in national security matters. He also worked as Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security in the same District during the George W. Bush administration. From 2004 to 2012, he was the mayor of Heath, Texas, a position that marked his entry into local politics.

In 2014, Ratcliffe ran for Congress, representing Texas’s 4th District. He was elected a Republican and served from January 2015 until his resignation in May 2020. During his time in Congress, Ratcliffe became a voice on national security issues, serving on key committees such as Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Judiciary. He chaired the Cybersecurity Subcommittee on the Homeland Security Committee. He authored important cybersecurity legislation, including the Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2017.

In 2020, Ratcliffe was nominated by President Trump to serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). After a contentious confirmation, the Senate confirmed Ratcliffe by a 49-44 vote on May 21, 2020. He was sworn in as DNI on May 26, 2020, and led the U.S. intelligence community during a critical time of global geopolitical shifts. As DNI, Ratcliffe was instrumental in repositioning U.S. intelligence priorities, mainly focusing on the growing competition with China and designating space as a priority intelligence domain. He also oversaw successful counterterrorism operations, including the elimination of several high-profile terrorist leaders.

Ratcliffe’s tenure as DNI was marked by his close relationship with President Trump, earning him the nickname “America’s Top Spy.” Recognizing his achievements, he was awarded the National Security Medal and the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal. 

Following his resignation as DNI in January 2021, Ratcliffe continued to work with the Center for American Security on national security issues. 

Ratcliffe has also been a vocal supporter of Israel. His legacy includes strengthening the U.S.-Israel partnership in cyber defense through the passage of the United States-Israel Advanced Research Partnership Act in 2016. Ratcliffe criticized the Biden administration for allegedly diverting U.S. intelligence resources from groups like Hamas. He has condemned the framing of Israel’s actions in Gaza by Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling it a “false narrative.” On Iran, Ratcliffe has praised Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, seeing them as a vital component of the “Trump doctrine” of maximum pressure. He has suggested that the U.S. should support such actions, reaffirming his strong stance on countering Iran’s regional influence and bolstering U.S.-Israel security cooperation.

On November 13, 2024, President Trump nominated Ratcliffe as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Sources: “John Ratcliffe,” Ballotpedia.
“Meet Director Ratcliffe,” John Ratcliffe.
“Ratcliffe, John,” Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. 
“The Honorable John Ratcliffe,” American First Policy Institute.
“Your complete guide to Trump’s Jewish advisers and pro-Israel cabinet,” Forward, (November 13, 2024). 
@realDonaldTrump, (November 13, 2024). 

Photo: Office of the Director of Intelligence, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.