Rep. John Ratcliffe, nominated again by President Trump to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies amid doubts over partisanship and lack of experience, was questioned by senators on Tuesday
WASHINGTON - U.S. senators on Tuesday pressed Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. intelligence on whether he would act independently of the president on hot-button issues like the origins of the coronavirus in China, as lawmakers held the first public socially distanced hearing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The cavernous hearing room was eerily empty, as senators observed strict protocols to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. Ratcliffe said that if confirmed, he would focus on the virus’ impact, questions about its origins in China and U.S. competition with Beijing. Ratcliffe said he viewed China as the greatest threat to the United States, on many fronts. “I won’t say all roads lead to China, but a lot of them do,” he said.
The committee’s top Democrat, Senator Mark Warner, said he was concerned about partisanship, especially regarding intelligence oversight and whistleblowers. Trump and aides have sharply criticized intelligence officials, accusing them of working for a “Deep State” seeking to undermine his presidency.“I don’t think that the men and women of the intelligence community are running amok,” he said.
Much about the hearing was unusual, or unprecedented. Ratcliffe’s family did not attend. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft supported Ratcliffe, but only in a written statement read by Senator John Cornyn, a committee member.
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