Join our local Republican Party Now!
Join our local Republican Party Now!
John Lee Ratcliffe, born October 20, 1965, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, has forged a remarkable career in American politics and intelligence leadership. From his tenure as U.S. Representative for Texas’s 4th Congressional District to his pivotal roles in President Donald J. Trump’s administrations, Ratcliffe’s path reflects legal expertise, conservative principles, and steadfast loyalty to Trump’s vision. As of April 24, 2025, he serves as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), following his earlier role as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). This piece traces his journey from Congress to his current position, culminating in his enduring ties to Texas Republican leadership.
Ratcliffe’s career began in law and local governance. The youngest of six children born to teacher parents, he graduated from Carbondale Community High School in Illinois. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in 1989. After practicing law privately until 2004, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, serving as Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security (2004–2008) and briefly as acting U.S. Attorney (2007–2008). Concurrently, he was elected mayor of Heath, Texas, a Dallas suburb, from 2004 to 2012, establishing himself as a capable local leader.
In 2009, Ratcliffe became a partner in the law firm Ashcroft, Sutton, Ratcliffe with former Attorney General John Ashcroft, strengthening his legal and political connections. In 2012, he joined Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign transition team, vetting potential appointees, which elevated his profile in Republican circles. In 2013, he announced his candidacy for Texas’s 4th Congressional District, challenging 17-term incumbent Ralph Hall in the Republican primary. Positioning himself as a fresh conservative voice against the 91-year-old Hall, Ratcliffe won the 2014 primary runoff with 52.8% of the vote, backed by endorsements from the NRA Victory Fund, Ron Paul, and Mike Huckabee. In the heavily Republican district (Cook Partisan Voting Index R+25), he faced no Democratic opponent and secured the seat in November 2014.
Ratcliffe served as U.S. Representative from January 3, 2015, to May 22, 2020, winning re-election in 2016 (88% of the vote) and 2018 (75.7%). One of Congress’s most conservative members, he served on the House Intelligence, Homeland Security, and Judiciary Committees, prioritizing national security and cybersecurity. He sponsored seven bills that became law, including the Effective Prosecution of Possession of Biological Toxins and Agents Act (2019) and two postal facility designations in Texas honoring Audie Murphy and Ralph Hall.
A vocal defender of President Trump, Ratcliffe gained prominence during the 2019 impeachment inquiry over Trump’s Ukraine dealings. His sharp questioning of Special Counsel Robert Mueller in a 2019 House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Russia investigation aligned with Trump’s narrative of an unfairly targeted administration, earning the president’s attention. Ratcliffe’s criticism of the FBI and intelligence agencies as part of a “deep state” resonated with Trump’s base. His initial nomination for DNI in 2019 stalled due to scrutiny over exaggerated prosecutorial claims, but he was renominated in 2020.
On February 28, 2020, Trump renominated Ratcliffe as DNI, and the Senate confirmed him 49–44 on May 21, 2020. Resigning from Congress, he was sworn in on May 26, overseeing 17 U.S. intelligence agencies until January 20, 2021. His tenure was divisive. Supporters praised his declassification of documents, such as unverified Russian intelligence about Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, which he presented as evidence of bias. Critics, including Democrats, accused him of politicizing intelligence through selective declassifications to support Trump’s 2020 re-election and minimizing Russian threats.
In the final months of Trump’s first term, Ratcliffe intensified his focus on national security threats, particularly China’s growing influence. He warned that China posed the greatest threat to U.S. economic and military interests, citing intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, and espionage. In public statements and intelligence reports, he urged stronger measures to counter Chinese activities, aligning with Trump’s hawkish stance. This emphasis on China showcased Ratcliffe’s strategic vision and commitment to protecting American interests, solidifying his role as a key advisor in Trump’s administration.
After Trump’s first term, Ratcliffe returned to private life, serving as co-chair of the Center for American Security at the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank. He maintained a low profile but remained influential in conservative policy circles, focusing on national security and legal consulting. His work kept him closely tied to Trump’s political network, preparing him for a return to public service.
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Ratcliffe as CIA Director for his second administration. The Senate confirmed him on January 23, 2025, by a bipartisan 74–25 vote, and he was sworn in by Vice President JD Vance. Ratcliffe became the first individual to serve as both DNI and CIA Director, a historic milestone. Leading a staff of approximately 21,000, he oversees covert operations, foreign agent recruitment, and intelligence analysis.
During his January 15, 2025, confirmation hearing, Ratcliffe pledged to keep the CIA apolitical, prioritizing human intelligence and technological advancements like AI to counter adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran. He supported Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for counterterrorism and drug trafficking intelligence while committing to protect civil liberties. Critics, like Senator Ron Wyden, raised concerns about his past partisanship, particularly his handling of intelligence on Jamal Khashoggi’s killing. Supporters, including Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, lauded his national security expertise and alignment with Trump’s priorities.
As of April 24, 2025, Ratcliffe is actively directing the CIA, reporting to DNI Tulsi Gabbard. His role is pivotal in Trump’s hawkish foreign policy, particularly against China, amid debates over intelligence community reforms. Public sentiment on X reflects his prominence, with some praising him as a “warrior for truth” for his stance on the Hunter Biden laptop narrative, while others celebrate his bold leadership and influence, reflecting his commanding presence in national security.
John Ratcliffe’s career, from a Texas congressman to CIA Director, showcases his legal acumen, conservative principles, and strategic alignment with Trump’s vision. His congressional tenure established him as a national security advocate, while his roles as DNI and now CIA Director have placed him at the forefront of U.S. intelligence. From highlighting China’s threats to shaping global intelligence policy, Ratcliffe continues to influence national security in Trump’s second term. His long-term friendship with Hopkins County Republican Party Chairman Donnie Wisenbaker, rooted in their shared commitment to conservative values in Texas’s 4th District, remains a testament to his deep ties to local Republican leadership, even as he navigates global challenges from the CIA’s helm.
I spent much of the last year saying China was our greatest national security threat by far, militarily, economically, technologically, that China – and China alone – is attempting to supplant the United States, but I, as you recall, received a lot of pushback on that because it wasn’t the political narrative the Left wanted.
– John Ratcliffe
Sources:
