Trump Names Joseph Maguire Acting Director Of National Intelligence
President Donald Trump named Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joseph Maguire the new acting director of national intelligence on Thursday after CIA official Sue Gordon resigned.
Trump made the announcement on Twitter Thursday evening, writing, “I am pleased to inform you that the Honorable Joseph Maguire, current Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will be named Acting Director of National Intelligence, effective August 15th.”
“Admiral Maguire has a long and distinguished career in the military, retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2010. He commanded at every level, including the Naval Special Warfare Command. He has also served as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University. I have no doubt he will do a great job!” the president’s tweet continued.
….coincides with the retirement of Dan Coats. A new Acting Director of National Intelligence will be named shortly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 8, 2019
Gordon, the principal deputy director of national intelligence, told the White House she was planning on resigning Thursday after she learned that she would be passed up for the director position, NBC News reported.
Trump also tweeted about Gordon’s announcement, writing, “Sue Gordon is a great professional with a long and distinguished career. I have gotten to know Sue over the past 2 years and have developed great respect for her.”
“Sue has announced she will be leaving on August 15, which coincides with the retirement of Dan Coats. A new Acting Director of National Intelligence will be named shortly,” the president continued in reference to former DNI Dan Coats, whom Trump considered firing for months.
Trump originally nominated Republican Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe as DNI, but Ratcliffe’s nomination was withdrawn after NBC News reported that he exaggerated his counterterrorism experience and received objections from Congress members of both parties.
North Carolina Republican Steven Burr said of Gordon’s retirement in a statement: “Sue Gordon’s retirement is a significant loss for our Intelligence Community. In more than three decades of public service, Sue earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues with her patriotism and vision,” according to NBC.
“She has been a stalwart partner to the Senate Intelligence Committee, and I will miss her candor and deep knowledge of the issues. I look forward to seeing what new challenges she will tackle next,” he concluded.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org
