(WASHINGTON) — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead America's premier spy agency and his second nominee to win Senate approval.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet.

A former federal prosecutor and Texas Republican, Ratcliffe gained prominence as a congressman as a staunch defender of Trump.

By a 74-25 vote, lawmakers approve a former director of national intelligence accused of politicizing intelligence assessments.

He has offered a vision for a more aggressive spy agency, and his focus on the threat from China is widely shared by Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

The US Senate has confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet. Mr Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Mr Trump’s ...