President-elect Donald 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 announced Saturday that he would nominate former Sen. 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 (R-Ind.) to be the director of national intelligence.

Reports had emerged on Friday that Coats, who left the Senate at the end of the last Congress and met with Trump in November, would be the pick.

“Dan has clearly demonstrated the deep subject matter expertise and sound judgment required to lead our intelligence community,” Trump said in a statement.

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“If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, he will provide unwavering leadership that the entire intelligence community can respect, and will spearhead my administration’s ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do us harm.”

Coats would lead the Intelligence Community’s 16 agencies should he be confirmed for the post.

The Indiana senator would not be expected to have trouble in winning confirmation.

He's a former member of the Senate Intelligence Committee who is also a former U.S. ambassador to Germany.

In 2014, Coats was banned from Russia in retaliation for his support for a series of sanctions levied against Moscow after it annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine.

Trump, for his part, has talked of cooperating with Russia in the fight against terrorism while building a more positive relationship, something that has drawn concern from some GOP lawmakers, such as Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainKelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Trump pulls into must-win Arizona trailing in polls MORE (R-Ariz.).

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“It is an honor to be nominated as Director of National Intelligence,” Sen. Coats said in a statement issued by the Trump transition team.

“A robust and responsible intelligence infrastructure is essential to our homeland security, and if confirmed I will ensure our national security decision-makers have every piece of information they need to protect the American people from the threats facing our nation.”

Coats would lead a community that has been at the center of a fight with Trump over Russian interference in the U.s. election.

The intelligence community released a report on Friday stating that Russian interfered in the election with the hope of helping Trump.

The ODNI oversees the 16 agencies that make up the so-called Intelligence Community.