President Trump’s pick to be the nation’s spy czar believes that digital and cyber attacks are a much bigger threat than illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

Rep. John Ratcliffe, who Trump wants to replace departing Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, recently said, “the greatest threats we face as a nation no longer come across our physical borders. They come across our digital borders.”

I am pleased to announce that highly respected Congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas will be nominated by me to be the Director of National Intelligence. A former U.S. Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Country he loves. Dan Coats, the current Director, will.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2019

Dismissed by some Trump critics as simply an avid supporter of the president, the Texas Republican and former federal prosecutor is the only member of Congress who has tried a terrorism case.

I am deeply grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to lead our Nation’s intelligence community and work on behalf of all the public servants who are tirelessly devoted to defending the security and safety of the United States. — John Ratcliffe (@RepRatcliffe) July 29, 2019

He is also a key proponent of upgrading and making U.S. data networks and critical infrastructure more secure from attacks.

In 2017, he teamed with Montana Sen. Steve Daines to improve data links and warned of the threat from cyber terrorism in an address to the moderate Ripon Society. It was there that he said that cyber crime is a bigger threat than illegals.

Ripon Forum’s Lou Zickar provided Secrets with the flashback quotes and video.

In the June 22, 2017, appearance, Ratcliffe said:

“I think I may be the only member of Congress that’s actually tried a terrorism case. And that really goes to my core view of federalism and the role of the federal government. I go back to the Preamble of the Constitution — the primary role of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. Historically, and until recently, the focus there really has been on securing the sovereignty and integrity of our territorial borders, and the focus there obviously on our physical borders.

“You’ve seen candidate Trump become President Trump by focusing on that very issue, and talking about building a wall on our southern border for security. But I will tell you that the greatest threats we face as a nation no longer come across our physical borders. They come across our digital borders … Literally, to the tune of millions of invasions every day. Americans are far, far, far more at risk from a digital attack than from someone crossing our physical border, or crossing the Rio Grande. So that’s the challenge that we face. You have emerging technology as it ties into our national security. I very much view this now as our greatest national security threat.”

“Cybersecurity threats have now become the greatest criminal enterprise in the world. It has surpassed drug trafficking as the most profitable criminal enterprise in the world. Think about it. It’s much easier now to conduct and be successful in criminal enterprises that you can do from half a world away in a few seconds and a few keystrokes. You can literally impact millions of Americans. Every one of us is at risk. That really underscores the great challenge that we face.”