U.S. Senate votes to confirm John Ratcliffe as CIA Director

January 23, 2025 – the U.S. Senate voted to confirm John Ratcliffe to serve as President Trump's Director of the powerful Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ratcliffe is the second member of the Trump cabinet to be confirmed. A bipartisan majority voted to confirm Ratcliffe in a 74 to 25 vote. U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R) released a statement following the vote.

"With increasing threats around the globe and after a terrorist attack in New Orleans this month, it is absolutely essential the Senate expeditiously approve President Trump's national security team," said Sen. Britt. "John Ratcliffe has extensive experience in counter-terrorism and intelligence. He is strongly qualified and will help execute President Trump's peace through strength doctrine."

"John has made clear he will not allow political or personal biases to cloud his judgment, and based on his time in Congress, it's clear he supports transparency and oversight-something that's much needed in our intelligence community," Britt continued. "I firmly believe John's leadership will help make our country safer."

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) also voted to confirm Ratcliffe.

"Democrats are blocking President Trump's nominees because they'd rather watch this country burn than see President Trump succeed," Sen. Tuberville said on X. "But Republicans are in it for the long hall. We're not taking any timeouts. We WILL get EVERY SINGLE ONE of President Trump's nominees CONFIRMED and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Ratcliffe is the second member of President Trump's national security team to be approved by the Senate. The Senate confirmed Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) as Secretary of State on Monday.

Twenty-one members who caucus with Democrats voted with every present Republican in favor of Ratcliffe.

"He will bring valuable knowledge and experience to his new post," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the floor earlier this week.

Ratcliffe previously served as the director of national intelligence (DNI) and he served on the House Intelligence Committee.

"Mr. Ratcliffe brings the right experience and the right approach to the CIA, and I look forward to working with him in his new position," Thune said.

The next Trump cabinet person that Thune is likely to bring to the floor is South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R), whom Trump nominated to head Homeland Security.

Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth cleared an important vote in the Senate on Thursday so he likely will be confirmed as the Secretary of Defense on Saturday. Democrats claim that they have uncovered new allegations about Hegseth.

Ratcliffe is a strong supporter of renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This provision allows intelligence agencies to engage in warrantless surveillance of foreign suspects – and any Americans who are conversing with foreigners who are of interest to the CIA and other intelligence agencies.

Original reporting by the Hill contributed to this report.