John Ratcliffe, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, has worked for AI companies, defense contractors, and private equity since time in government.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA told senators during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that the nation’s premier spy agency must do a better job of staying ahead of global threats posed by Russia, China and other adversaries.

CIA nominee John Ratcliffe is telling senators about how he’ll reshape the intelligence community in what he calls "the most challenging national security environment in our nation’s history."

Over the past two years, the Central Intelligence Agency has developed a tool that allows analysts to talk to virtual versions of foreign presidents and prime ministers, who answer back.

The former Texas congressmember fielded an array of Democrats and Republicans about his ability to remain independent of Trump.

John Ratcliffe would be one of the few national security officials from the first Trump administration to join the second

The Senate Intelligence Committee's confirmation hearing for CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe raised concerns over his past political bias as director of national intelligence. Both parties seek assurances on impartial intelligence assessments.

Republicans and Democrats praised the former lawmaker and intelligence official, who vowed not to use political loyalty tests at the CIA.

Trump's former director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, is set to have his confirmation hearing as Trump's pick for director of the CIA on Wednesday.

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

WASHINGTON — Former Texas congressman John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA, vowed to make the agency more muscular while keeping its work apolitical during his nomination hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.

CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe said the agency needs to focus on its mission in the face of growing challenges from China and others during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.