John Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump's first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA.

The former Texas lawmaker and prosecutor was Trump's national intelligence director in his first term. He vowed to reject White House political pressure

President Donald Trump is heading to hurricane-battered western North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Friday, using the first trip of his second administration to tour areas where politics has clouded the response to deadly disasters.

The US Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as the new CIA Director, with a significant 74-25 vote. With a history of prioritizing national security and intelligence reforms, Ratcliffe aims to enhance America’s global strength and leadership in intelligence operations.

During his confirmation hearing on January 15, Ratcliffe emphasized his commitment to merit-based hiring and promotion within the CIA, distancing himself from political influences

By a 74-25 vote, lawmakers approve a former director of national intelligence accused of politicizing intelligence assessments.

No president has ever exercised this constitutional power, but "this remains a significant possibility in the eyes of the White House," one source said.

FILE - Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe waits to board Marine One with President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick ...

Texans have been tapped to run the CIA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture.

Five days after assuming the White House, President Donald Trump is racking up a number of wins and losses after issuing a flurry of executive orders. On Friday, he travels to disaster-hit states of North Carolina and California while new developments play out over his immigration policy and cabinet confirmations.

Ratcliffe, Trump’s former director of national intelligence, sought to reassure senators that he would remain apolitical in his role as CIA director.

John Ratcliffe has been confirmed to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after the Senate confirmed his appointment. Notably, this is the second major appointment under the second Trump administration after Marco Rubio was appointed the US Secretary of State,