WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has announced former Republican congressman John Ratcliffe as his choice for director of the Central Intelligence Agency, selecting another Iran hawk to fill a key position in his administration. 

Trump lauded Ratcliffe as a “warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public” in his announcement on Truth Social Tuesday evening. 

"I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions," the president-elect said. "He will be a fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans, while ensuring the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH."

Ratcliffe, 59, represented Texas’ Fourth Congressional District from 2015 to 2020 and then served as Trump’s director of national intelligence, overseeing all 18 of the nation’s intelligence agencies. He is currently the co-chair of the Center for American Security at the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute. The new pick is seen as a Trump loyalist and someone who is helping the campaign in the national security transition, Politico reported.