President Donald Trump is creating new headaches for the GOP after he temporarily appointed Richard Grenell as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a move that appears to be primarily a house-cleaning exercise, The Hill reports.
According to Senator Susan Collins, who co-wrote the legislation that created the DNI position after the 9/11 attacks, Grenell is lacking the experience necessary for that position.
“As one of the four authors of the law that created the DNI back in 2004, I care deeply about that position and believe the person needs experience in the intelligence community, which regrettably Ambassador Grenell does not have,” said Collins, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee who is up for reelection this year.
Collins said she wished Trump had gone with Joseph Maguire, who until Friday had served as acting DNI.
“I would have much preferred that the president nominate the acting director, Maguire, for the post,” she said.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released a statement Friday praising the work of Maguire and his deputy Andrew Hallman, but did not mention Grenell.
Other Republicans said it is important that Trump find someone to fill the position on a permanent basis, and it’s widely assumed that candidate will not be Grenell, who would face an uphill battle to securing confirmation in the Senate.
Be the first to comment