WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet.

John Ratcliffe has been confirmed as the CIA director under President Trump. Previously director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe is noted for his defense of Trump during his first impeachment and his focus on enhancing technological capabilities at the CIA.

A former federal prosecutor and Texas Republican, Ratcliffe gained prominence as a congressman as a staunch defender of Trump.

John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, has told members of the Senate that the nation’s premier spy agency can do better

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead America's premier spy agency and his second nominee to win Senate approval.

CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe said Wednesday that American spies must stop foreign adversaries from winning the race for top tech, including through operations aimed at undercutting enemies’ supply chains.

The new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) becomes the second Cabinet member of US President Donald Trump's administration. View on euronews

John Ratcliffe, Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, told members of the Senate that loyalty to Trump would not conflict with duties to follow intelligence leads.

The Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, making him President Trump's second cabinet member. Ratcliffe plans to enhance the CIA's use of technology to counter threats like Russia and China while safeguarding civil rights.

The US Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet. Mr Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Mr Trump’s first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA, the nation’s premier spy agency.

Ratcliffe identified China as the U.S.'s greatest geopolitical rival as he testified before the Senate on Wednesday.

John Ratcliffe, Donald Trump's pick to lead the CIA, told members of the Senate that loyalty to Trump would not conflict with duties to follow intelligence leads.