Senators question Trump's pick for top U.S. spy on partisanship
Trump nominated Ratcliffe, a member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, to be director of national intelligence last summer. The nomination was dropped amid questions about his lack of experience and partisan reputation but the Republican president nominated him again this year.
The committee's top Democrat, Senator Mark Warner, said he was concerned about partisanship from Ratcliffe, a strongly outspoken supporter of Trump during impeachment hearings last year, especially regarding intelligence oversight and whistleblowers.
"I still have some of the same doubts now as I had back in August," Warner said.
Trump infuriated Democrats and attracted criticism from some Republicans by firing Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, who sent Congress a whistleblower complaint alleging that Trump sought to persuade Ukraine's president to collect potentially damaging information on former Vice President Joe Biden, a rival to Trump as he seeks re-election in November.
That report became central to Trump's impeachment.
Ratcliffe repeatedly pledged to act independently. "The intelligence I deliver will not be subject to outside influence," he said.
The large Senate hearing room was far emptier than usual. Ratcliffe's family did not attend. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft supported his candidacy in written remarks. Some staff and senators wore masks into the room, but removed them to speak. Ratcliffe did not wear a mask. Members of the press were limited to a small number, who provided pool reports.
