The New York Times reports:
President Trump was expected to name Richard Grenell, the American ambassador to Germany, to be the acting director of national intelligence, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Mr. Grenell, whose outspokenness throughout his career as a political operative and then as ambassador has prompted criticism, is a vocal Trump loyalist who will lead a group of national security agencies often viewed skeptically by the White House.
He would take over from Joseph Maguire, who has served as the acting director of national intelligence since the resignation last summer of Dan Coats, a former Republican senator from Indiana. Mr. Grenell, who has pushed to advance gay rights in his current post, would apparently also be the first openly gay cabinet member.
I am pleased to announce that our highly respected Ambassador to Germany, @RichardGrenell, will become the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Rick has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him. I would like to thank Joe Maguire….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020
….for the wonderful job he has done, and we look forward to working with him closely, perhaps in another capacity within the Administration!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2020
News – President Trump expected to tap Ric Grenell for ODNI https://t.co/zZlkhBIfWT
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 19, 2020
An amazing choice!!! @realDonaldTrump deserves someone he can trust and someone who knows how to get things done in this position.
Congrats @RichardGrenell go get em. https://t.co/KAKUhYElDj
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 19, 2020
Oh wow — @RichardGrenell is a vocal Trump loyalist. Many in IC will likely not react well to this. https://t.co/CVHH1ynqDI
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) February 19, 2020
Are you fucking kidding me?! This is a joke, right? Does Grenell have even an iota of an intelligence background? https://t.co/BshN8BFB59
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) February 19, 2020