On Wednesday, January 15th, John Ratcliffe, the nominee for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director under incoming U.S. President Trump, highlighted the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the primary concern once he assumes the position. He referred to the CCP as the “greatest national security threat” to the United States.
During the nomination hearing at the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, Ratcliffe, who previously served as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) during President Trump’s first term, emphasized the main threats facing the U.S., including the CCP, the U.S. border, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the associated nuclear confrontation risks, as well as the increasing collaboration among U.S. adversaries like Iran and North Korea.
Ratcliffe stated, “As the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), I significantly increased the intelligence community’s resources dedicated to China-related issues. I have publicly warned the American people that, from my unique perspective – as an official with more access to U.S. intelligence than anyone else, China is unquestionably the largest national security threat we face to date.”
He commended President Trump for being a leader on this issue and expressed encouragement over the bipartisan consensus reached in recent years concerning this threat. Ratcliffe viewed the establishment of the CIA China Mission Center by the Biden administration as a positive starting point and stressed the importance of continuing this work.
“The CIA must provide the President and U.S. decision-makers with the highest quality intelligence to assist them in making decisions, maintaining peace, and promoting prosperity,” Ratcliffe said.
During the hearing, Ratcliffe stated that the United States currently faces “the most challenging national security environment in history.”
“This is our generation’s challenge. The intelligence is clear, and our response must be equally clear,” he emphasized.
Following the hearing, the Senate Intelligence Committee will vote on Ratcliffe’s nomination, and the entire Senate will then further vote to confirm his appointment as CIA Director.
Ratcliffe mentioned in the hearing that he would focus on the CIA’s global capabilities in human intelligence, promising to provide profound, objective, and multi-sourced analyses regardless of how dark or difficult the mission may be, ensuring that political or personal biases do not influence their assessments or products.
He reiterated that the core mission of the CIA is to “carry out secret actions under the President’s directive, go where no one else can reach, and accomplish tasks that others cannot.”
Additionally, he made clear demands to potential subordinates, stating, “To CIA officers around the world, if this aligns with your original purpose, get ready to take action and make a difference. If it does not, then it is time to find a new job.”
According to a report by a source familiar with Ratcliffe, cited by Fox News, he is dedicated to “depoliticizing” the agency and “eliminating distractions” in order to focus efforts on its core mission – intelligence gathering.
Ratcliffe’s nomination reflects a high level of consensus within Trump’s cabinet regarding the threat posed by the CCP, while also emphasizing the enhancement of technological and defense measures to thwart ongoing attacks on U.S. infrastructure by the CCP.
The source stated, “Under the leadership of Trump and Ratcliffe, the era of Beijing looting American companies, undermining U.S. infrastructure, and targeting and violating the American people is over. Wolves can only linger in a lion’s territory for a while and will eventually be torn apart.”