President-elect Donald Trump has named his latest Cabinet pick: former Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe to head the CIA, and Florida legislators attend this year's Legislature University.

Former Texas Rep. John Ratcliffe poised to lead CIA in 2nd Trump term

A former Texas congressman is in line to become the nation’s next chief of the Central Intelligence Agency. It would be John Ratcliffe’s second stint in a Trump administration after previously serving as the president-elect's director of national intelligence.

Although some of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees have drawn sharp objections, others are enjoying praise. Ratcliffe is in the latter category.

“Great pick. He’s a dear friend of mine on top of that, but I think he’s a great pick. I think President Trump’s made some great picks,” Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, said. 

Ratcliff served in the 4th Congressional District in North Texas from 2015 until 2020, when he stepped down to serve as director of national intelligence during the final months of Trump’s first term.

A former federal prosecutor in Texas, Ratcliffe served on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees. He got in Trump’s good graces after he criticized former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and defended Trump during his first impeachment proceeding.

Trump said in a statement, “He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

Other Texas Republicans in Congress agree.

“He’ll do a good job over the CIA. I think he has the right balance of the need to make sure we’ve got a strong intelligence operation, but also an intelligence operation that is focused on overseas and protecting the country, not engaging in, I think, activities that are targeting American citizens and some of the abuses and concerns that I think people have had,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, said.

The CIA director oversees the agency’s intelligence collection, counterintelligence, analysis of foreign threats and covert operations. Although he’s a close Trump ally, Ratcliffe is seen as a traditional pick for the CIA role and is unlikely to face much resistance in the incoming GOP-controlled Senate. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. 

“I’m proud that my fellow Texan and former colleague in Congress, John Ratcliffe, has been selected to direct the Central Intelligence Agency. I’m looking forward to working with these terrific individuals,” Cornyn said on the Senate floor. 

If Ratcliffe is confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first person who has served as both director of national intelligence and of the CIA.

Florida lawmakers attend Legislator University

Orientation is underway at the Capitol for some of the newest elected members of the Florida Legislature.

Freshman, plus more seasoned lawmakers, are attending a two-day course known as Legislator University. The crash course program gets freshman up to speed, while also familiarizing veteran lawmakers to new rules and procedures, which can change under each new House and Senate leader.

“This process is a difficult process,” said Democratic Tampa Sen. Dianne Hart. “Nobody can really prepare you for this process other than yourself. You’ve got to entrench yourself in reading the rules book.”

Lawmakers attend various workshops throughout the day, many of which are also intended to brief them on state issues. Among the featured workshops are sessions on health care, criminal justice, property insurance and more.

“There’s always room to learn,” said Miami Republican Rep. Alex Rizzo. “We are all lifelong learners and it’s great to see the energy that comes not only with the freshman class but also the upperclassmen.”

The 2025 Legislative Session kicks off in March with 35 new lawmakers, many of whom are incoming Republican members.

Committee weeks are scheduled to take place after Legislator University and will continue into the new year.