President Trump said four people are under consideration to be his nominee for director of national intelligence after two potential candidates said they would not take the position.
Trump said Friday a decision on his pick would be made in the coming weeks.
Four great candidates are under consideration at DNI. Decision within next few weeks!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2020
Joseph Maguire has been in the position in an acting capacity since August after Dan Coats stepped down. Maguire is obligated to leave the post by March 11 because federal law limits how long he can serve in the position in an acting capacity.
Trump appointed U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell to replace Maguire earlier this week. Grenell said Thursday that Trump won’t nominate him to serve as the intelligence chief permanently.
The president floated Georgia Rep. Doug Collins as a contender to fill the position on Thursday, but Collins said he would not accept the nomination.
“This is not a job that interests me. At this time, it’s not one that I would accept because I’m running a Senate race down here in Georgia,” Collins said Friday during an interview with Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network.
Utah Rep. Chris Stewart is said to be a top contender, according to the New York Times. National security adviser Robert O’Brien has encouraged Trump to nominate Stewart, who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and is interested in the position.
