John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for CIA Director, is preparing to bring sweeping changes to the agency’s operations. According to sources, Ratcliffe plans to dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, which he sees as a distraction from the CIA’s core mission. Insiders describe his approach as taking a “wrecking ball” to what some have termed the “woke deep state” within the agency.
A source familiar with Ratcliffe’s plans revealed to the Daily Mail, “I suspect Ratcliffe is going to come in like a wrecking ball to the woke deep staters. The mission is all he cares about. No more politicized intelligence products. No more social experiments. Nothing and no one that distracts from the mission of collecting foreign intelligence and keeping Americans safe.”
The source’s remarks underscore Ratcliffe’s commitment to returning the CIA’s focus to its foundational goal: safeguarding national security through intelligence gathering. Critics of the agency’s recent DEIA initiatives argue that these efforts dilute its effectiveness and divert resources from critical operations.
The Daily Mail also obtained internal documents highlighting a variety of DEIA-focused events hosted by the CIA in recent years. These events included:
- A 2024 Pride Month celebration featuring a keynote by Rachel Levine, the transgender Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- A “Multicultural Inclusion Exchange” commemorating the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling.
- Black History Month programming under the banner “The Black Experience,” which spanned the entire month.
- Mandatory “Equity Assurance Training” sessions for agency personnel.
While proponents of these initiatives argue they foster an inclusive environment, critics within the agency see them as unnecessary distractions. A former CIA paramilitary operations officer bluntly stated, “We’re the point of the spear for the Agency, and we don’t have time for this nonsense. And that’s what it is: nonsense.”
The controversy surrounding DEIA programs at the CIA isn’t new. A 20-year agency veteran told the Daily Mail, “We used to say diversity is our strength. I get that. But when diversity became the overriding emphasis, it ended up like the old rule of convoys: the ships traveled at the speed of the slowest boat. And that’s what we ended up with.”
This sentiment reflects broader frustrations among agency personnel who feel that the focus on social issues detracts from operational efficiency and effectiveness. Ratcliffe’s expected confirmation as CIA Director signals a shift away from this approach, aligning with Trump’s broader vision of eliminating “woke” policies from government agencies.
Cliff Sims, a former Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Strategy and Communications during Trump’s first term, shared a personal anecdote that encapsulates the cultural shift Ratcliffe intends to reverse. Upon entering the CIA cafeteria for the first time, Sims noticed a poster proclaiming, “Trans lives are human lives.” He described his reaction in his book, The Darkness Has Not Overcome:
“Even in here, I thought to myself, considering how someone had taken time out of their day protecting the security of America from dangerous foreign actors in order to promote the latest iteration of identity politics.”
This anecdote underscores a perception among critics that DEIA initiatives have infiltrated even the most mission-critical areas of the agency.
Ratcliffe is expected to address these issues during his Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing. His opening statements are anticipated to emphasize a return to the CIA’s core mission, with a focus on eliminating programs that detract from its operational effectiveness.
Supporters of Ratcliffe’s approach argue that such a shift is long overdue. They see his leadership as an opportunity to depoliticize the intelligence community and restore its reputation for impartiality and focus. However, detractors warn that rolling back DEIA programs could undermine morale and create a less inclusive environment for CIA personnel.
Ratcliffe’s nomination and potential confirmation mark a pivotal moment for the CIA. The changes he plans to implement are likely to spark intense debate, both within the agency and in the broader public. For now, Ratcliffe’s allies are confident that his leadership will refocus the agency on its mission of protecting national security above all else.
As the CIA prepares for a new era under Ratcliffe’s direction, the world will be watching to see how these changes unfold—and whether they strengthen or weaken the agency tasked with safeguarding America’s interests.
2 Comments
the man is doing the right think in this situation! focus on security!!
Long overdue