ACTION ALERT: Tea Party Express Supports John Ratcliffe for Director of National Intelligence


For Immediate Release: May 6, 2020

SACRAMENTO, CA: Tea Party Express, the nation’s largest Tea Party political action committee, strongly endorses Congressman John L. Ratcliffe as Director of National Intelligence and urges the United States Senate to confirm his nomination expeditiously. 

Tea Party Express Co-Founder and Chief Strategist Sal Russo said, “The American people would be well served by having such an outstanding individual, like Congressman John L. Ratcliffe, as Director of National Intelligence.  We became acquainted with John during his first primary campaign for Congress when he was challenging an incumbent Republican Congressman. We were initially skeptical of his chances against an entrenched incumbent, but at our first opportunity to meet with him and discuss his vision for serving, we became convinced that he would be an outstanding Congressman and well serve his constituents. Tea Party Express proudly endorsed him and assisted in his successful campaign in 2014. 

John L. Ratcliffe

 “We were impressed with his service with the Department of Justice and his role as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and as the Chief of Anti-Terrorism and National Security for the Eastern District of Texas. He soon became the U.S. Attorney and oversaw national security and terrorism related matters and coordinated the Joint Terrorism Task Force.  He was keenly aware of the threats faced by the United States and was drawn to run for Congress so he could improve our national security.

As a Member of Congress John has fulfilled his promise to focus on our nation’s security.  He has served on the House Intelligence, Homeland Security, Judiciary, and Ethics Committees.  He rose to Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee.  As a co-author of the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act, he worked tirelessly to develop bi-partisan support for this crucial legislation.  President Obama signed the bill into law after John was able to help muster overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

“Not only does John have the knowledge and skills to be an effective national leader on national security, he also has demonstrated such high ethical standards that former Speaker Paul Ryan prevailed on John to accept  a membership on the House Ethics Committee, a post often shunned by Members of Congress.  John stepped up, however, because he strongly believed that Congress should maintain the highest ethical standards.  From every perspective, John L. Ratcliffe warrants an overwhelming vote of confirmation by the Senate,” Russo concluded.

To schedule an interview with a representative of Tea Party Express, please contact the Press Office at 916-914-5041.

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