President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE formally sent his nomination for Rep. John Ratcliffe John Lee RatcliffeOvernight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE (R-Texas) to become the director of national intelligence (DNI) to the Senate Monday.

Ratcliffe had previously been considered to take on the head intelligence role, but he withdrew after public scrutiny over his experience. The representative currently sits on the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees and played a role in the House impeachment inquiry.

He would replace Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray CoatsThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Former Intel chief had 'deep suspicions' that Putin 'had something on Trump': book Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq MORE, who resigned last July. The position has been filled in an acting capacity since then.

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I am pleased to announce the nomination of @RepRatcliffe (Congressman John Ratcliffe) to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Would have completed process earlier, but John wanted to wait until after IG Report was finished. John is an outstanding man of great talent! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2020

Time has not changed the criticism of Ratcliffe among Democrats, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.) condemning the representative for showing “a clear disrespect and distrust” of the intelligence community.

Last week, Trump tapped Richard Grenell to fill in for acting DNI Joseph Maguire Joseph MaguireCongressional Democrats request FBI briefing on foreign election interference efforts Wells Fargo told employees to delete TikTok from work phones Hillicon Valley: Pompeo floats TikTok ban | Civil rights groups slam Facebook after call | Election security funding included in proposal MORE, who was reportedly pushed out after a senior DNI official briefed the House Intelligence Committee on Russian efforts to help the president get reelected. Later reports said the briefer may have overstated the threat.

Critics also denounced the president for choosing Grenell to fill the acting position, saying he based his decision to appoint the former U.S. spokesman at the United Nations on loyalty instead of experience.