1:33
- ABC News
- Donald Trump
- February 21, 2020
Trump: Russia reelection help 'disinformation'
President Trump is working to place loyalists inside the intelligence agencies.
1:33
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/richard-grinell-gty-jt-200221_hpEmbed_19x14_384.jpg\")
Now that Grenell has assumed the position – albeit on a temporary basis -- Democrats have decried his lack of intelligence experience, though the White House celebrated Grenell’s “years of experience” working with the Intelligence Community.
Grenell, who is keeping his job as Ambassador to Germany, has conceded he will not be nominated to fill the position on a permanent basis.
Trump has signaled he is considering four people for the post and he will announce a nominee in the coming weeks.
Four great candidates are under consideration at DNI. Decision within next few weeks!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2020
Another Republican reportedly under consideration is Utah Republican Rep. Chris Stewart, who also has a seat on the House Intelligence Committee. Stewart, who rose to the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force, has not commented on his prospects for DNI.
While Trump mocks the so-called Deep State during his campaign rallies and on Twitter, the president’s purge is also trickling down the ranks within the intelligence community.
Director of National Intelligence's Principal Executive Andrew Hallman is expected to soon depart, as is the ODNI’s General Counsel Jason Klitenic, sources familiar with the matter confirm to ABC News.
Kash Patel, a former senior National Security Council official is expected to move into a senior role under Grenell, according to sources. Patel is a controversial figure in Washington known for his efforts to discredit special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation while he was an aide to Rep. Devin Nunes, the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee.
Although the intelligence community depends on career professionals to keep America safe from threats, the totality of the recent wave of personnel changes underscores the notion that the president is able to singularly shape its leadership by appointing officials who serve strictly at the pleasure of the president.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the law which created the DNI post, specifies that \"Any individual nominated for appointment as Director of National Intelligence shall have extensive national security expertise.\"
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/ron-wyden-nc-jt-200221_hpEmbed_3x2_384.jpg\")
Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden expressed doubt that Grenell meets the DNI’s basic job requirements for expertise in intelligence – even if he’s only on the job in an “acting” capacity.
“If there was any doubt that Donald Trump values unquestioning obedience over the safety of the American people, this appointment settles the question,” Wyden said. “Senators who take their oath of office seriously must oppose Trump's practice of dodging Senate confirmation practices to place unqualified individuals into highly sensitive national security posts.”
ABC News’ John Santucci and Katherine Faulders contributed to this report
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