To the Editor:

Re “Spy Chief Quits as Trump Taps Fierce Loyalist” (front page, July 29):

In the routine horrors of the Trump administration, some actions stand out not only as cruel and childish but also downright terrifying.

Such is President Trump’s nomination of Representative John Ratcliffe to replace Dan Coats as director of national intelligence.

This is the person charged with protecting 330 million Americans from the next terrorist attack, or domestic mass shooting, or cyberattack that paralyzes our economy. It is clear that what attracted President Trump to Mr. Ratcliffe is not Mr. Ratcliffe’s deep experience and qualifications for the position. No. It is Mr. Ratcliffe’s signs that he will protect Mr. Trump from the legal problems he faces as a result of his lifelong lies and corruption.

Mr. Ratcliffe appears to signal that he will be a yes man to Mr. Trump, who has propagates lies and conspiracy theories with abandon as long as they serve his self-interest.