(WASHINGTON) — On Thursday, the Senate officially confirmed John Ratcliffe as the new director of the CIA, making him the second nominee appointed by President Donald Trump to secure Senate approval for this prestigious position.

Ratcliffe, who held the role of director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term, is notable for being the first person to simultaneously occupy both the CIA leadership and the intelligence director role. A Republican from Texas, his background as a federal prosecutor played a significant role in shaping his career, and he gained prominence for his vigorous defense of Trump during the impeachment hearings that occurred during the president’s first term.

The Senate confirmation vote wrapped up with a margin of 74-25, with a considerable number of Democrats opposing Ratcliffe’s nomination.

In his Senate hearing last week, Ratcliffe emphasized the necessity for the CIA to enhance its technological tools, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, to combat threats from nations such as Russia and China. He stressed that the United States must advance its intelligence capabilities while also ensuring the protection of American citizens’ civil liberties.

If he assumes the role, Ratcliffe intends to push the CIA to take advantage of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, while also focusing more on human intelligence collection.

“We’re not where we need to be,” Ratcliffe told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Some Democrats raised concerns about Ratcliffe’s ability to lead the CIA impartially, whereas Republican senators commended his extensive experience and expressed eagerness to confirm additional national security nominees from Trump.

Earlier in the week, former Florida Senator Marco Rubio was confirmed as secretary of state, marking his status as the first member of Trump’s Cabinet.

The role of the CIA director has not always been a Cabinet position; however, under President Joe Biden, this role was elevated to Cabinet level with former director William Burns, and Ratcliffe is included in the Trump administration’s Cabinet listings.

Trump and several Republicans have openly criticized the CIA and other intelligence agencies for prioritizing issues such as climate change and diversity initiatives.

These demands for significant reform have sparked worries among some current and former intelligence officials, who fear that such changes could jeopardize national security.

Ratcliffe has identified China as the primary geopolitical threat to the U.S., while also recognizing the risks posed by Russia, Iran, North Korea, and various criminal organizations, hacking groups, and terrorist organizations.

He has shown support for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the government to gather communications from non-Americans outside the U.S. without a warrant. This practice has provoked debates regarding potential violations of personal rights, particularly when American citizens’ communications are involved.

Similar to many of Trump’s other nominees, Ratcliffe has exhibited unwavering loyalty to the president. In addition to defending Trump during the impeachment process, he aggressively interrogated former special counsel Robert Mueller during his testimony on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

As the director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe was tasked with overseeing the operations of over a dozen intelligence agencies, including directing initiatives to counter foreign influence in U.S. politics.

Initially nominated for this position in 2019, Ratcliffe withdrew his name after lawmakers expressed skepticism regarding his qualifications. He was later confirmed by a sharply divided Senate after Trump re-nominated him.

During his tenure, Ratcliffe faced accusations from Democrats regarding the politicization of intelligence, particularly when he declassified information related to Russian activities that suggested potentially damaging implications for Democrats, despite acknowledging that the accuracy of such intelligence was uncertain.

Before the confirmation vote for Ratcliffe, concerns were raised by Democrats about whether he would prioritize loyalty to Trump over his duties as CIA director, which prompted a two-day delay in the vote.

Looking ahead, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence in his second term, is anticipated to encounter a more arduous confirmation process. The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii has faced bipartisan scrutiny due to her past supportive remarks about Russia and her meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2017.

Gabbard’s confirmation hearing is scheduled before the Senate Intelligence Committee for January 30.