CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing: What to know, how to watch.
John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, is set to face his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Having already served in Trump's cabinet as director of National Intelligence during the president-elect's previous term, Ratcliffe has remained a staunch supporter and defender of Trump.
Ratcliffe previously served as a U.S. representative, U.S. attorney and mayor, all in Texas. He is a self-identified "limited government conservative" and has historically focused his attention on China, which he views as one of the biggest threats to America's security and economy.
The CIA position requires Senate confirmation. On Wednesday, Ratcliffe will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his hearing.
Here's what you need to know about the confirmation.
Trump cabinet picks: Donald Trump names former intelligence chief John Ratcliffe to CIA director
Watch John Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing
The hearing is expected to begin Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. ET.
Who is John Ratcliffe?
John Ratcliffe, 59, is a politician and attorney. Ratcliffe served as the mayor of Heath, Texas, from 2004 to 2012 and as U.S. attorney for eastern Texas from 2007 to 2008. From 2015 to 2020, he was U.S. representative for Texas's 4th district before being tapped in 2020 to be Trump's director of National Intelligence, a role he held until 2021.
Ratcliffe also served as co-chairman of the Center for American Security, a think tank for security issues. The center is part of the America First Policy Institute, which served as an advocacy platform for numerous alumni of Trump's first administration.
Ratcliffe earned his bachelor's degree from Notre Dame and law degree from Southern Methodist University.
John Ratcliffe controversies
Trump first nominated Ratcliffe for the director of National Intelligence job in 2019 to replace the retiring Dan Coats, but he withdrew after lawmakers from both parties questioned his qualifications for the sensitive post.
Both former intelligence officials and politicians criticized Ratcliffe's experience and expressed concerns that he would politicize the role thanks to his "blind loyalty" to Trump. He was also accused of exaggerating his accomplishments in prosecuting terrorism and immigration cases.
At the time, Trump said the thought Ratcliffe "was being treated very unfairly" and didn't deserve the criticism. Ratcliffe didn't specifically comment on criticisms of his qualifications, but said when he withdrew: "While I am and will remain very grateful to the President for his intention to nominate me as Director of National Intelligence, I am withdrawing from consideration."
Some other Republicans defended Ratcliffe, as well, including GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak who called Ratcliffe "a very good man" who has "seen his reputation dragged through the mud."
Trump nominated Ratcliffe again in 2020, and that time the Senate confirmed him.
In 2020, just 35 days before the presidential election, he also came under fire for declassifying 2016 Russian disinformation accusing Hillary Clinton of a scheme to slander Trump by connecting him to Putin and approving the Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee. The then-Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee had already rejected the claims as baseless. Ratcliffe denied any wrongdoing in the incident.
Ratcliffe also became a visiting fellow at the controversial Heritage Foundation after his time in the first Trump administration, where he focused on helping build Project 2025 and hold China "accountable" for the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions," Trump said in a statement after nominating Ratcliffe in November. "He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH."
This article was updated to include video.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about John Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing, how to watch