The Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe as the next director of the CIA on Thursday as Republicans prepare for weekend votes on two more national security picks. Ratcliffe faced a brief delay to his nomination from Democrats questioning his independence from President Donald Trump.

John Ratcliffe was confirmed to be the next director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Thursday, making him the second of President Donald Trump's cabinet picks to secure their position.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Trump the second member of his new Cabinet. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA,