John Ratcliffe, President Trump’s nominee for the director of national intelligence, said he did not know what the term “deep state” means.
Trump and some of his allies have used the expression, which refers to a shadow government, to discredit members of the intelligence community and accuse them of working to undermine the presidency.
Ratcliffe was asked during his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday whether he believed there was a “deep state” in the intelligence community.
“I don’t know what that means,” Ratcliffe said. “I don’t know what that is.”
Ratcliffe said he had never made any statements about the “deep state,” with the caveat that reporters may have asked him questions specifically about the term.
“Not that I’m aware of. The only reason I’m hesitating is, sometimes you’re asked questions by reporters using terms,” he said.
“Have you made any statements saying you believe or implying that the intelligence community is somehow acting inappropriately to target the president?” Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a follow-up question.
“No,” the Texas congressman responded.
