John Ratcliffe is an American politician and attorney currently serving as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Born on October 20, 1965, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, he pursued higher education at the University of Notre Dame and the Southern Methodist University School of Law.
Career Highlights:
- U.S. House of Representatives (2015–2020): Ratcliffe represented Texas’s 4th congressional district, earning a reputation as one of the most conservative members.
- Director of National Intelligence (2020–2021): He served under President Donald Trump, overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies.
- CIA Director (2025–present): In January 2025, Ratcliffe was confirmed as the CIA Director, becoming the second member of Trump’s cabinet.
Recent Developments:
In March 2025, Ratcliffe faced scrutiny during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing regarding his involvement in a Signal messaging group discussing military operations in Yemen. The group, which mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, led to concerns about potential leaks of classified information. Ratcliffe defended his participation, stating that no classified content was shared.
Despite reassurances, Democratic senators expressed concerns about the security implications of using encrypted messaging apps for sensitive discussions. The incident has prompted calls for further investigations into the handling of classified information within the administration.