President Donald Trump is several steps closer to solidifying his America First cabinet, thanks to Thursday’s Senate confirmation of his nominee for Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe.
The Senate confirmed Ratcliffe, who previously served as the sixth director of National Intelligence, in a 74-25 vote in what was a relatively low-key confirmation process for the new leader of the intelligence community, per Politico.
President Trump nominated Ratcliffe for the position in November 2024, just days after he won the presidential election.
“From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” the president wrote in a statement last year.
Ratcliffe is also a recipient of the National Security Medal, awarded by President Trump in 2020.
Thursday also boasted a step in the right direction for another one of Trump’s nominees: Pete Hegseth, the president’s choice for secretary of defense.
The Senate voted to advance Hegseth’s confirmation to a final vote on Friday in a 51-49 vote, according to The Hill.
Two Republican Senators voted against Hegseth on Thursday: Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).
However, Republican defections on the vote has not deterred some of President Trump’s most ardent allies who staunchly believe Hegseth will be confirmed no matter what.
“Don’t get distracted by Sen. Susan Collins news about Pete Hegseth,” Turning Point USA President Charlie Kirk wrote on X. “She’s been factored into his confirmation math for weeks. He will be confirmed and become the next Secretary of Defense. Stay the course.”
Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) also stated confidently on X on Thursday, “Combat veteran @PeteHegseth will be confirmed as your next Secretary of Defense.”
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune (S.D.) said on the floor this week that he would be willing to push the Senate to work into the weekend to secure confirmation votes for President Trump’s nominees as quickly as possible.
President Trump was asked about Collins and Murkowski’s opposition to Hegseth on Thursday while he took questions from the press in the Oval Office. He appeared unconcerned. “No surprises there, it’s too bad,” he said. “…They’re maxing everything out so they can delay [the votes].”