Stay ahead of the trends driving your industry with Morning Consult Pro.
Request a demo Request a demo

Washington

Senate Confirms Coats as DNI, Allows McMaster to Retain Military Rank

McMaster will retain his military rank while serving as national security adviser. (U.S. Naval War College/flickr.com)
By Cameron Easley
March 15, 2017 at 3:00 pm ET

The Senate on Wednesday easily confirmed former Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) to serve as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.

Coats was confirmed in an 85-12 vote, and replaces former Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, whose resignation became effective on Jan. 20. Coats enters a charged political environment as U.S. intelligence agencies he will oversee and congressional committees continue to probe Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The former Senate Intelligence Committee member was one of several senators to be banned from entering Russia in 2014 in response to U.S. sanctions levied against the country for its invasion and occupation of Ukraine.

The Senate also voted 86-10 to allow National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster to retain his rank as a three-star lieutenant general while serving as Trump’s replacement for retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Flynn resigned last month after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about holding unauthorized discussions on sanctions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

  • Cameron Easley

    Cameron Easley is Morning Consult’s lead analyst for U.S. politics. Prior to moving into his current role, he led Morning Consult's editorial coverage of U.S. politics and elections from 2016 through 2022. Cameron joined Morning Consult from Roll Call, where he was managing editor. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Follow him on Twitter @cameron_easley. Interested in connecting with Cameron to discuss his analysis or for a media engagement or speaking opportunity? Email press@morningconsult.com.

Morning Consult