U.S. Senate Approves President Trump's Nominee For Director Of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe

Daily Beast: Trump's top spy nominee says China is the 'greatest threat' to America and vows to ramp up the search to find the origins of the coronavirus

* U.S. senators on Tuesday pressed Donald Trump's nominee to lead U.S. intelligence, Representative John Ratcliffe
* 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
* Trump nominated Ratcliffe to be director of national intelligence last summer
* Ratcliffe withdraw amid questions about his lack of experience and partisan reputation, but Trump nominated him again this year
* The three-term Republican House of Representatives member fervently supported Trump during impeachment
* Ratcliffe pledged repeatedly that he would not be influenced by pressure from the Republican president or any other official

President Donald Trump's pick to lead the US intelligence community said Tuesday that he would focus on China as the country's greatest threat, saying Beijing was determined to supplant the United States' superpower status.

But John Ratcliffe, an outspoken Trump defender nominated to become director of national intelligence, came under pressure in a Senate confirmation hearing over whether he would politicize the intelligence process to keep the president happy.

It's the second time Ratcliffe has sought the crucial position - which has lacked a permanent office holder for nearly nine months - after he withdrew from consideration in August following questions over his experience and credentials.

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WNU Editor: He was approved as Director of National Intelligence today on a 84-7 vote .... Senate confirms Trump's counterintelligence chief after nearly 2-year limbo (Politico).