Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he has not met President Donald Trump's nominee to succeed Dan Coats as director of national intelligence — and is not ready to pledge his support, the Washington Examiner reported.
The nominee, Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, is not familiar to most Senate lawmakers, the Examiner reported.
"I'd rather not address that until I've had a chance to meet him to discuss his background and qualifications," McConnell told reporters Tuesday, but added: "Generally speaking, I would lean toward the president's nominees."
With Democrats arguing Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist and underqualified for the intel position, GOP senators will have to push the nominee over the finishing line — and they are not yet lining up behind him, the Examiner reported.
Ratcliffe, 53, was elected in 2014 after serving as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, where he was in charge of anti-terrorism and national security cases. He currently serves on the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees.
The confirmation hearings are not expected to begin until September at the earliest, the Examiner reported.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.