Coats Will Step Down as Director of National Intelligence on Aug. 15

July 28, 2018 (EIRNS)—President Donald Trump tweeted today that Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats will leave office on Aug. 15. Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX) will be nominated to replace him. An acting director may be appointed in the next several days.

Coats has led the other intelligence chiefs whom he directs, in opposing Trump’s attempts to establish peaceful and productive relationships with Russia, China, and other nations on economic and security issues.

Ratcliffe, a former U.S. Attorney, who questioned former Special Counsel Robert Mueller sternly during his appearances before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees July 27, told Fox News Sunday today thathe was confident that Attorney General William Barr and Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz would prosecute any Obama Administration officials who committed crimes related to the 2016 Presidential campaign.