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A long-awaited tweet from the president confirms the end of DNI Dan Coats’ tenure — on August 15 — and the nomination of Rep. Ratcliffe as Coats’ replacement.
Coats secured and maintained bipartisan respect for his chosen motto, “seek the truth and speak the truth.” His delivery of unvarnished IC assessments -which at times did not align with the policy preferences of the White House- was known to stoke the ire of President Trump
Notable that Coats' deputy, PDDNI Sue Gordon, isn't immediately, if at all, being named acting director. She is well-known and widely respected throughout IC ranks.
(A congressional official tells me if Trump puts anyone other than Gordon in the acting role, he'd better have a "damn good reason or the Hill will raise hell.")
FWIW, here’s how PDDNI Sue Gordon described Coats’ efforts at the helm recently on @IntelMattersPod:
“He has played intelligence straight down the middle. And he’s done that in a matter that is quiet, except when he has to correct the record. And he’s been willing to do so.”
“He has played intelligence straight down the middle. And he’s done that in a matter that is quiet, except when he has to correct the record. And he’s been willing to do so.”
Coats most recently ‘spoke up’ in May after Trump bestowed broad declassification powers on AG Barr.
Coats’ statement said IC would provide DOJ “appropriate information” for its review — and reiterated IC would continue to provide “apolitical” intelligence.
Coats’ statement said IC would provide DOJ “appropriate information” for its review — and reiterated IC would continue to provide “apolitical” intelligence.
Coats also issued a statement in the aftermath of the 2018 Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki, where the president touted Putin’s “extremely strong and powerful” denial of election interference.
“We have been clear in our assessments,” Coats said, again vowing “unvarnished” intel.
“We have been clear in our assessments,” Coats said, again vowing “unvarnished” intel.
